By Our Special Correspondent
SHILLONG: The Zomi people of Shillong celebrated their 64th National Day at the Asom Kristi Kendra here on Monday. The Zomi people comprising of at least eight tribes – the Paite, Zou, Simte, Chin, Vaiphei, Mate, Gangte and Kom are settled mostly in the Churachandpur District of Manipur and some in Mizoram. However there are large chunks of the Chin population in Myanmar.
The Zomi National Day is therefore a sort of solidarity day for Zomi peoples across the world, informed the chief organiser Pupu Zou.
The Zomi National Day celebration started in early 1928 to fight British imperialism but later became a celebration of their own struggle for a ‘nation.’
Addressing the gathering, Mr H, Chin Khenthang (IAS Retd), who was also crowned as the Nam Ni Pa or the father of the Zomi people of Shillong, shared his journey from a small village to becoming an IAS officer through sheer hard work and dedication, despite being born to poor parents. Mr Khenthang urged the Zomi youth to live disciplined and diligent lives.
Executive Member of the Autonomous District Council of Churachandpur, Mr Mangchinkhup urged his brethren to stand tall while demanding for their political rights. He urged the audience to fight against human rights violation by the Indian security forces in the North East. The Zomis it is learnt are demanding for a separate state to be carved out of the present state of Manipur. Addressing the audience as chief guest, The Shillong Times Editor, Patricia Mukhim exhorted the 10,000 strong Zomi residents of Shillong to engage with and be involved in the community efforts to keep Shillong clean and a city to be proud of. She said Shillong is the home of all those who live and work here and it is only a combined efforts that can save the city. While stating that she is supportive of all demands for statehood, Ms Mukhim said all such demands should eschew violence. She cited the example of Meghalaya which was granted statehood without bloodshed. The National Day celebration included songs and traditional fashion show depicting the dresses of the various ethnic communities coming under the rubric of ‘Zomi’ people.