Diphu, Jan.13: The golden jubilee celebration of Karbi Youth Festival (KYF) organised by Karbi Cultural Society started at Karbi People’s Hall (KPH), Taralangso, around 7 km from Diphu town, Karbi Anglong district of Assam, on Saturday.
The festival will conclude on January 19.
The first KYF was celebrated in 1974 at Karbi Club, Rongnihang, Diphu, by the initiative of persons like Roy Inghi, late Janasing Terang, Lunse Timung, Lawrence Teron, and others.
One of the main attractions of the festival will be the visit of the President, Droupadi Murmu on January 17 to witness the cultural display of the Karbi tribe.The inaugural programme started with ‘Rongketong’–a cultural procession from Karbi Club, where the first KYF was held. In the procession, more than 3000 troupes from 35 KCS zones both within Karbi Anglong and outside the district participated. The front line in the procession was former members of Karbi Club and villagers of Rongnihang followed by president,KCS, Chandrasing Kro and secretary, Bidyasing Rongpi, its former members the Chief Executive Member of (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC),Tuliram Ronghang, Karbi, Longsing Ronghang and MP of Parliamentary Constituency, Horensing Bey.The 3000 cultural troupes on the front holding the Jambili Athon –Karbi totem pole, with the beating of Karbi traditional drums, playing of flute and youths dancing to the rhythm of the drums the cultural procession reached Taralangso, where a formal inauguration took place. At Taralangso, the KCS president, Kro unfurled the KCS flag. The KCS anthem was sung by the KCS central choir.
“We need to acknowledge the contribution of Roy Inghi and Lunse Timung, who later became the founding general secretary and president of KCS; Janasing Terang the founding president of Karbi Club and its member Lawrence Teron in reviving the Karbi culture, language, dress and traditions by organising KYF to bring together the Karbi youths as because of them, the KYF has now reached its 50thyear.”
Kro asserted that the KCS will continue to work for the development and promotion of Karbi culture, language and tradition and urged the Karbi tribe to come together burying political differences for the interest of the community.
The CEM, KAAC,Ronghang said, “I thank both Roy Inghi and Lunse Timung for their leading role in organising the first KYF and initiating the revival of Karbi Culture and traditions. Taralangso has changed a lot. It has now become a cultural centre for the Karbis. If we strive together we can achieve what we are demanding for the Autonomous State under Article 244(A) of the Indian constitution.” “I declare this golden jubilee celebration of KYF open,” the CEM said.
Cultures of Resistance Award in collaboration with USA based NGO ‘Cultures of Resistance’ was presented by KCS to KCS founding president, Lunse Timung and founding general secretary, Roy Inghi and renowned Karbi female singer Pokhila Lekthepi.
Both Inghi and Timung were awarded with a memento and cheque of Rs.20, 000, while Lekthepi also received a memento and cheque of Rs.25, 000.
The inaugural programme also witnessed the attendance of Deputy Ambassador of Myanmar,Tin Tin Htwe Win and husband Soe Moe Naing; Deputy Ambassador of Lao PDR, Keo Sengdavong and wife Khampheng Luanglath; First Secretary, High Commission of Malawi, Joseph Austen Kawinga, First Secretary, High Commission of Ghana,Konrad Nana Kojo Asiedu and Executive Secretary to the High Commissioner of Khana, Jaee Bhatnagar.
