HT Bureau
DIPHU, Jan 19: In the grand conclusion of the eight-day golden jubilee celebration of the Karbi Youth Festival (KYF), organised by the Karbi Cultural Society (KCS) at Taralangso in Diphu, the KCS honoured individuals associated with KYF since its inception in 1974.
The ceremony, held at the golden jubilee memorial auditorium, recognised their outstanding contributions to the festival.
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The felicitation extended to the founding president, secretary, and members of KYF, KCS presidents, secretaries, members, the Reception Committee, its convenors, and others. Additionally, former and present leaders of KYF and KCS received traditional Karbi turbans and citations in recognition of their service.
Lunse Timung, the founding President of KCS, emphasised the importance of preserving the originality of traditional dances, songs, and music amidst the modernization and the festival’s 50th-year milestone. He urged the younger generation to learn and retain the authenticity of Karbi traditions.
“Too much modification in adapting with the change of time and modernisation will lose its originality. In KCS Zones during rehearsal dancers should be taught the original form of the dance as well as songs before coming to participate in the festival, “Timung added.
Tuliram Ronghang, chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), attended the closing program as the chief guest.
Addressing the audience, he clarified the absence of President Droupadi Murmu, during the festival, attributing it to unfavorable weather conditions preventing the President’s helicopter from landing at Taralangso.
Ronghang further shared insights into the challenges faced, including symbolic signs like the animal sacrifice (seh karkli) indicating unfavorable conditions.
He also dismissed any political motives behind the President’s absence, emphasising the need for understanding the circumstances.
“When animal sacrifice (seh karkli) was performed to begin preparation for celebration of KYF, the KCS president, Chandrasing Kro informed me that the two hens sacrificed indicate bad signs. From there I have doubts that something untoward may happen. On January 16 evening during a live concert by Nazareth rock band there was heavy downpour. The next day, the Indian President was supposed to come. The weather was gloomy. However, the helicopter of the Indian President tried to land at 11:30 am, but it couldn’t do so. Later, it tried at 12:30 PM and at 1:30 PM. Finally, the landing was cancelled at 1:30 pm. Some political leaders are making political issue out of it,” the CEM said.
Regarding financial support, Ronghang highlighted the allocation of funds, including Rs 1 crore from the KAAC under the State Owned Priority Development (SOPD) and an annual commitment of R 3 crore from the chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, through the Art and Culture Department.
He further mentioned the Rs 1 crore contributions from government employees’ one day’s basic pay, making a total of Rs 5 crore available for KYF organisation.
The CEM expressed gratitude for the participation of Ambassadors from nine countries in the golden jubilee celebration and hinted at plans to invite more Ambassadors from other countries in future festivals to elevate KYF to a global level.
As part of the golden jubilee celebration, a unique event attempting to set a world record with 1500 participants walking on bamboo stilts will take place on January 21 at Bakulia bypass.
The closing ceremony also witnessed the release of books published by KCS, namely ‘KYF – Phurkimo Akitap’ edited by Saising Rongpi, ‘Lokimo’ (the mouthpiece of KCS) edited by KCS general secretary, Bidyasing Rongpi, and ‘Barika’ edited by Jorsing Bey.
The ceremony, chaired by KCS President Kro and various dignitaries addressed the gathering, including MP Horensing Bey, MLAs Bidyasing Engleng and Dorsing Ronghang, and KCS founding president Lunse Timung.
