The Villagers of Bura-Namsang village under Tamlu Sub-Division of Longleng district in Eastern part of Nagaland has first time, Celebrated the Monyu festival with colourful programmes. The Bura-Namsang Village which was established in 18th Century, at present has 1000 families is the biggest village of the Longleng district.
The Monyu the most popular and biggest festival falls in the month of April every year soon after the sowing season. The festival is celebrated for 6 days, begining from 1st to 6th April every year. It also marks the end of Winter and begining of Summer or Monsoon. A day or two prior to the festival the green signals of the dawn of festival is made by beating drums with a distinct tune synchronised purposely for the event, trditionally named "Lan Nyangshem".
The Priest or the Village elders performed a ritual and pridict what the forthcoming festival would be, a blessing or a curse. In case the prediction shows the sign of danger, the villagers are warned to be careful during the festivity. Monyu is the time to bid farewell to the on going year and heralds the dawn of the new year. It also the time of prayers and dedication for the sprouting crops that are already sowed. The main feature of the Monyu is the occasion, when the male members of the family shows love and renewal of the affectioned feelings towards their married daughters and sisters by presenting them the purest of the rice beer and specially prepared foods. Such conduct reflects the general status of the Phom Women that "they are respected and honoured". Planning and decision relating to the community welfare to be implemented throughout the years are decided during the festival.
The Six days long festival follows a circle of ritual and activities which are categorised day-wise as following. The first day is the day for all over preparation. Besides preparing of domestic chores every household go to collect wrapping leaves and bamboo's which is called, " Shongten-Laiphen".
The second day is for Compulsory brewing of all kinds of Rice-beer.
The third day is meant for the varying age group from oldest one to the youngest. They gather together and feast admist dancing, merry making etc., Thus the day is named, " Aiha Okshok".
The fourth day is coined as "Chingi Okshok", which practically means general festivity and also the day of arrival of guests from the neighbouring villages.
Indefinite curfew has been clamped in Haflong following a clash between a group of people and DHD(J) militants during the ongoing Dima Hasao bandh on Friday.Tension started in the hills town when a group of bandh supporters attacked a veterinary office and started pelting stones at the DHD(J) designated camp. A DHD(J) militant was injured in the attack. Other camp inmates also tried to retaliate forcing the security forces deployed there to resorted to blank firing to disperse the violent picketers.
Dispur on Friday announced a Rs 200-crore scheme to revive the field of agriculture in the flood ravaged scene.Agriculture Minister Nilamoni Sen said that the government had formulated the special programme to help the agriculture sector, for which funds would be made available by State and central government.According to him, the department had cancelled all forms of leave of all agriculture department officers for the next two months, till the time of rabi sowing, to make up for the loss of kharif crop due to floods.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is scheduled to undertake another aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts on Saturday.Gogoi is expected to meet district administration officials from these districts on Saturday. Towards the evening he would be back to Guwahati. On his arrival, the chief minister is slated to hold a high level meeting of the officers to take stock of the relief operations.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit districts on Friday.Gogoi laid thrust on relief and rescue of the marooned people. At the outsit he reached Jagiroad and visited the affected people in Moigaon where the victims alleged non receipt of relief materals. Then he left for Darrang, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji apart from Kazaringa National Park and the Majuli.
The overall flood situation continues to improve on Friday. The water levels of the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries are receding.The death toll has gone upto 27. Six people have been remained traceless. Over 15 lakh people in 18 districts have been affected. Assam government has announced a 200 crore special scheme covering four lakh 10 thousand hectare crop lands which will benefit around 12 lakh flood affected population.
Aaranyak, one of the most prominent conservation group in the country has expressed its shock and deepest grievance at the recent incidences of poaching of four rhinos in the flood stricken Kaziranga National Park in just three days time. This is a massive setback to the efforts towards conservation and protection of this unique creature that finds an inherent place in the very heart of Assamese culture.We strongly feel that the management of the Assam Forest Department has not been up to the task of protecting the rhinos, especially in conditions of flooding of the Park. This, we feel, can be ascribed to a complete lack of coordination between the Forest Department and the Karbi Anglong...
The Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi formally released a book, on September 18, titled “West meets East: Schopenhauer and India”, edited by Arati Barua under their specific program “Germany and India 2011-12 : Infinite opportunities”. Robin Mallick , Program director South Asia region formally released the book. Astrid Radunski, cultural counselor of the Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany in New Delhi, spoke about IDSS and its work. Professor Nirmalya Narayan Chakravorty , Member Secretary of Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) who Chaired the session, delivered a lecture on about the book . Professor Matthias Kossler, honorable President of the...
Security has been beefed up across the state following ULFA’s stepped up activities to make their presence felt.
The outfit is trying to carry out a string of blast in the vital spots forcing security forces to be kept on high alert. Vehicles are being frisked to avoid any incident. In Guwahati, security forces have sealed the entry and exit routes. According to intelligence inputs, ULFA’s Paresh Baruah faction has recruited 1000 new cadres who are being trained by Manipur based People's Liberation Army. ULFA has also stepped up extortion activities in Upper Assam.
Former army chief Gen V K Singh on Monday said that BTAD violence is a fit case for the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act to be applied. Talking to reporters in the sideline of a function, he said that army could have reached the spot early and that there was no need to wait. He further questioned the alleged delay in sending army to the riot hit spot.
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