Imphal: Manipur observed Ningol Chakouba, a traditional festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, on Saturday.
On the eve of the festival this year, Manipur chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh announced a new welfare scheme, CMgi Laiyeng Shen, under the department of minorities and other backward classes for widows belonging to the under-privileged sections of society.
The scheme will cover widows belonging to minorities, backward classes and Scheduled Castes. Under it, each widow will receive Rs 15,000 as reimbursement towards medical expenses every year.
Biren Singh said the new scheme was a small gift from the new government to the beloved sisters and mothers of the state on the first Ningol Chakouba after it came to power.
He said his government has also initiated the process for a health insurance scheme for all the widows belonging to minorities, SCs and other backward castes of the state. The premium for the health insurance will be paid by the government, he added.
Biren Singh said the objective of the scheme was to ensure that widows do not face any distress at the time of acute need.
The chief minister assured the people that the new women's markets in the hill districts, which are under construction, will be inaugurated in January 2018 as New Year gifts to the "mothers and sisters of hill districts" of the state.
Kshetrimayum Ongbi Mrinalini Devi, a local, said, "We always wait for this day to be with our parents, brothers and sisters. What we require is the blessings of our parents and brothers and a moment of togetherness."
Every year on festival eve a grand fish fair is held to supply fresh local fish at suitable price. On Friday, the state fisheries department organised a grand fish fair here.
Manipur governor Najma A. Heptullah, cabinet ministers and several civil society organisations wished the people for a harmonious society.
During Ningol Chakouba, organisations in the valley invite sisters from the hills to a grand feast to strengthen the bond of love between the hill and valley people.
State works minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said, "Manipur is a place where several communities reside together and development is possible only if there is peace."
Biswajit Singh was present at the 24th Eikhoigi Iche-Ichalsingbu Ningshingba Numit Ningol Chakouba organised at the Iboyaima Sumang Leela Shanglen palace compound by the All Manipur Ethnic Socio-Cultural Organisation along with Naat Kanba Lup, Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and the All Manipur Arts and Culture Students' Union.