The Zeliangrong Meet 2024 was held on Saturday, November 2, at Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi under the theme “Zeliangrong Consciousness and Resilience.”
The event brought together members of the Zeliangrong community from across diverse fields to celebrate their shared heritage and strengthen bonds in the nation’s capital.
Organised by the Zeliangrong Students Union Delhi (ZSUD) in collaboration with the Zeliangrong Welfare Association Delhi (ZWAD), the meet saw a vibrant gathering of over 2,500 attendees, the ZSUD stated in a release.
Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Manipur Water Resources and Relief & Disaster Management Minister Awangbow Newmai called on the community to protect ancestral lands and encouraged young people to embrace their mother tongue, focusing on skill mastery and mindful engagement with social media.
Newmai advised the young people, especially the freshers who came to Delhi, to take advantage of being in the National Capital while remembering their roots.
"You are in Delhi. Try to take advantage of the facilities available here and try to get the best education or jobs. Strive for excellence, be a master in what you do but do not forget your roots, your history," the chief guest said.
The minister also urged all not pull each other down, which he termed it as the community's weakness.
"Compete positively with other communities which are better than ours. Stop pulling each other down. Support and encourage each other and embrace our mother tongue to strengthen the bond with our community," Newmai added.
The programme was also graced by Rang Emei Gonmei, director of Helix Design Private Limited and proprietor-principal architect, Helix Healthcare Architecture, New Delhi, and Hungkeukam Nriame, secretary of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, Haflong, Dima Hasao, Assam as guests of honour.
Armstrong Pame, director of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, served as the chief host of this event.
Also addressing the gathering, Rang Emei Gonmei highlighted the importance of developing a common language for the Zeliangrong community, while Hungkeukam Nriame advocated for a unified nomenclature that fosters inclusivity.
As many as 96 special invitees were recognised for their contributions and success across various fields, including education, medicine, administrative service, music, business, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.
The programme unfolded across two sessions: a formal session and an extravaganza featuring performances in music, dance, comedy, and a fashion show, highlighting the community’s rich cultural expression.
A central feature of the meet was the ceremonial lighting of the “Flame of Unity” by representatives of the Zeliangrong kindred groups, symbolising the unity, brotherhood, and enduring heritage rooted in Makuilongdi, the ancestral village where these communities once lived together and their cherished aspiration of living together under one administrative unit, the ZSUD stated.
The Zeliangrong Meet 2024 concluded with a reinforced commitment to community solidarity and cultural resilience, honoring the legacy of Zeliangrong ancestors while looking forward to a prosperous and unified future, it added.
