Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N Biren and ministers on Monday extended their well wishes to the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Yaoshang festival which is celebrated from March 7 to 11.
In her message, the governor stated that the festival of Holi known as ‘Yaoshang’ in the state is celebrated during spring every year by the Vaishnavities of the state.
The Yaoshang festival is marked by fun and gaiety imbued with spiritualism, leaving behind the past and looking forward to a new day, she said, urging all to forget their differences and strengthen their bond of unity irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Uikey also stated that Yaoshang festival has now become a sports movement in as much as various sporting activities take place in every locality during the entire period of the festival. She also invited the people of the state to celebrate Yaoshang in its true spirit with the participation of all communities.
The governor called upon the people to make Manipur a better and peaceful state where mutual respect and love prevail among all communities.
Also Read: In defence of girls
Chief Minister N Biren extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion, saying that Yaoshang is one of our biggest festivals, celebrated for five days in spring starting from full moon day of the lunar month of Lamta, it is celebrated with joy and affection through colours, ‘holika’ and ‘thabal chongba’.
For many decades now sports events mark the five-day-long festival, marking a shift in generational thought, he mentioned. He extended well wishes for the colourful celebration of the Yaoshang festival to bring all shades of happiness in the lives of one and all.
The Holi festival which is celebrated on the full moon day of March which is the ‘Lamta Purnima’ has a cultural significance among various Hindu traditions of the Indian subcontinent, stated health minister Sapam Ranjan Singh in his message.
Sapam Ranjan also extended well wishes for the Holi Festival to bring happiness, prosperity, peace, brotherhood and unity among the different communities in the state. Holi also marks the start of spring, an occasion for people to enjoy the changing seasons and make new friends, he added.
Textile Minister Nemcha Kipgen, in her message, extended her greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion and stated that the festival which is observed continuously for five days is one of the major festivals of Manipur.
“May the joyous spirits of this festival rejuvenate and strengthen the age-old bond of love, harmony and understanding amongst all the people in the society,” she added.
Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai, in his message, stated that the Yaoshang festival is not only for young people, but all the people take part in the celebration irrespective of caste, age and gender. He called for peace and harmony among the diverse ethnic communities of the state during the festival.
