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India Gazette
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Manipur: Young designers, models shine at Ukhrul's fashion stage
Ukhrul (Manipur) [India], June 21 (ANI): High in the misty hills of Ukhrul, a quiet fashion revolution is taking center stage as young models prepare for a mega fashion day event during the recently concluded Shirui Lily Festival, a celebration where style meets tradition in the most elegant form. In Manipur and across the Northeast, fashion isn't just an industry, it's a way of life. From daily wear to ceremonial attire, the people here blend heritage and modern aesthetics with effortless grace, redefining what it means to be fashionable in India today. Speaking at the event on Friday, Pooja Elangbam, Director of the Tourism Department, Government of Manipur, said, 'Growing up, we often believed that fashion capitals were places like New York or Mumbai. But today, the Northeast is carving its own space with immense talent and creativity.' One of the festival's main attractions was a traditional weaving textile show curated by emerging designer and digital artist Easternlight Zimik from Kachouphung village. Paying tribute to the rare Shirui Lily, which blooms only atop Shirui Kashong, the show featured three compelling segments: 'Conversation Art' on cultural continuity, 'Muse Game' that transformed traditional attire into everyday fashion, and a final tribute to the artistry of Tangkhul weavers. 'This show is about telling stories through fabric,' said Easternlight. 'We're displaying the skill of our weavers, who carry forward a legacy of intricate designs and sustainable craft.' With each step on the runway, the models didn't just showcase outfits--they represented identity, innovation, and pride. The event offered a platform for local designers and artisans to shine, reaffirming Ukhrul's place in India's evolving fashion landscape. From vivid textiles to bold new expressions, the Shirui Lily Festival mirrored the vibrant spirit of Manipur, where culture, craft, and couture walk hand in hand. (ANI)
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Beads, battles and Big breakthroughs
MANIPUR: A decade ago, Pamchuiwon Kashak, a 30-year-old woman from Ukhrul, a hill district in Manipur, began designing and crafting traditional Tangkhul Naga tribe jewellery — earrings, necklaces and other accessories using beads and glass stones. What started as a hobby soon transformed into a full-fledged business in 2019. Pamchuiwon's vision was clear: to revive the moribund tradition of Tangkhul jewellery, once popular among both men and women, but now largely confined to festivals and special occasions due to the growing influence of Western culture. Five years after beginning her business from home, Pamchuiwon opened her first retail outlet, Tangkhul_beads, in Ukhrul in 2020. The shop, located in the heart of the Tangkhul community, quickly flourished. Today, her customer base spans beyond Manipur, reaching cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, thanks to her social media presence on YouTube and Instagram, as well as her stall at the annual Shirui Lily Festival. The state-sponsored festival, dedicated to the iconic Shirui Lily flower, has played a crucial role in bringing her work to a broader audience. Pamchuiwon's journey to success has been far from easy. Born as the second of eleven siblings, she grew up in a poor family where daily survival was a struggle. When she was 9-years-old, her father died leaving behind her mother and six children to fend for themselves. As per his dying wish, her mother remarried his younger brother who too was a poor farmer. The family's financial difficulties only increased after the birth of five more children.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
COCOMI protesters lock central government offices in Manipur
GUWAHATI: The ongoing protests in Manipur's Imphal Valley intensified on Tuesday with the protesters beginning to lock central government offices. In a viral social media video, protestors were seen locking the office of the state's Chief Electoral Officer after overcoming resistance on the way from security personnel. The protestors also locked the office of the Geological Survey of India. They put up banners there which read, 'President's rule must stop insulting Manipur's identity.' The Meitei organisation Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) is spearheading the protests. It had on Sunday announced mass protests, rallies, torch processions, and sit-ins against the recent alleged instruction by security personnel to conceal the words 'Manipur State Transport' displayed on a state-run bus in which a media team was travelling to Ukhrul to cover the Shirui Lily festival. The state government has already ordered a probe into the incident, but COCOMI has stuck to its guns. It demanded an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the resignation of Chief Secretary PK Singh, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, holding them responsible for the incident, which 'undermined Manipur's identity, name, pride and respect.'
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Manipur's 5-day Shirui Lily Festival celebrates heritage, conservation, and community
The 5th State-Level Shirui Lily Festival concluded on Saturday in Manipur's Ukhrul district, capping five days of cultural celebration, ecological awareness, and community participation. Organised by the Department of Tourism, Manipur, the festival marked the 75th anniversary of the discovery of the Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae)—the state's iconic and endangered flower found only in the Shirui Hills. Held after a two-year break, the festival ran from May 20 to 24 across multiple venues, including Shirui Village, Bakshi Ground, Phangrei, and TNL Ground. This year's edition drew thousands of visitors from across the country, spotlighting Manipur's natural beauty, indigenous culture, and adventure tourism potential. Throughout the week, the festival hosted a diverse array of events. Cultural showcases included traditional Tangkhul Naga dances, indigenous games like wrestling and tug-of-war, and the Miss Shirui Lily 2025 beauty pageant that celebrated local identity and grace. Each day had something unique with Day 1 that saw the festival open in Shirui Village with an inaugural ceremony that highlighted Tangkhul Naga customs, traditional performances, indigenous crafts, and a strong message of ecological responsibility centered on the endangered Shirui Lily. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shop Directly from Adidas Franchise Stores – Up to 50% OFF Original Adidas Shop Now Undo Day 2 featured the unveiling of the 75th Anniversary Memorial structure, while the Shirui Gospel Rock concert brought spiritual energy to the stage. The first round of the SheChef culinary contest began, alongside traditional games, live music, and the start of a regional film screening series. Day 3 included a Bike Peace Rally promoting unity, the second round of SheChef focusing on vegetarian cuisine, and a bonfire concert under the stars. The SHiROCK music festival continued to draw large crowds with performances from artists across India. On Day 4 (May 23), the festival hosted a mini-marathon, tug-of-war, and wrestling competitions, along with SheChef's third round, where contestants crafted dishes inspired by childhood memories. The evening was lit up by the glamorous Miss Shirui Lily 2025 pageant. Finally, Day 5 brought the week-long celebration to a high-energy close with the SheChef grand finale and electrifying SHiROCK music performances. Throughout the day, visitors also enjoyed adventure sports, traditional games, diverse food stalls, and vibrant tribal exhibitions. The closing ceremony at Bakshi Ground featured performances by local artists and national rock acts as part of the SHiROCK music festival, with Bombay Vikings headlining the final night. Suman Billa, IAS, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, attended as Chief Guest, alongside military and civil dignitaries. Additionally, the SheChef culinary competition drew widespread attention, with four rounds themed around signature recipes, vegetarian dishes, and childhood memory meals, culminating in a grand finale. The contest not only highlighted regional flavours but also spotlighted culinary talent from Manipur's growing food scene. Literature and storytelling found their space through the Shirui Lily Literature Festival and workshops conducted by the Mariwala Health Initiative. Topics ranged from decolonising narratives and archiving forgotten histories to the use of visual media in storytelling- showcasing the region's intellectual and artistic voices. For the adventure-seeking crowd, venues like Phangrei and Jorcheng offered mountain biking trails, ziplining, zorbing, and camping. Each day ended with acoustic evenings, bonfires, and SHiROCK concerts that drew large audiences. Another highlight was the unveiling of the 75th Anniversary Memorial dedicated to the Shirui Lily, symbolising both pride and the urgent need for conservation. Film screenings of regional cinema took place daily at TTA Hall and Jorcheng. In a push for sustainable tourism, the Manipur Tourism Department also launched a homestay registration portal under the Central government's RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) scheme, aimed at empowering local communities and boosting eco-tourism infrastructure. Discovered in 1946 by British botanist Dr Frank Kingdon Ward and named after his wife Jean Macklin, the Shirui Lily blooms only between April and June in the high-altitude Shirui Hills. It cannot be cultivated elsewhere, making conservation efforts critical. The festival is timed with the flower's natural bloom, blending ecological advocacy with cultural pride. Tourism officials said that the festival aims not only to celebrate the lily but also to promote eco-tourism, encourage sustainable development, and provide a platform for local artisans, musicians, and entrepreneurs. It also serves as a symbol of unity for Manipur's diverse communities and tribes.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Protesters scuffle with security forces near Manipur Raj Bhavan
A scuffle broke out between protesters and security forces on Sunday (May 25, 2025) while they were on their way to gherao the Raj Bhavan in Imphal against the removal of the State's name from a Government bus. The protesters responding to a call by COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity) to stage mass agitation gathered at Khwairamband and took out a rally for some 500 metres before they were stopped by security forces. They were demanding an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla over an alleged insult to Manipur's identity. Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters in front of Kangla Gate, some 150 metres from Raj Bhavan gate. Five protesters have been admitted to hospital with injuries, a hospital official said. One protester told reporters, 'The governor continues to disregard the sentiments of the people by his silence. He and his administration has completely humiliated the state's historical and cultural legacy all the while administering the state. The inquiry commission set up by the government to probe the incident is not enough and does not mention anything about penalising those who were involved.' The protest follows outrage over a reported directive to remove 'Manipur' from the Manipur State Transport bus with journalists on board on May 20 en route to the Shirui Festival in Ukhrul district. COCOMI has announced statewide agitation and demanded the resignation of the Chief Secretary, DGP, and Security Advisor. The Manipur government on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) ordered a probe into the allegations that security personnel forced to cover the state's name on a bus taking journalists to the Shirui Lily festival. It was alleged that security forces had stopped the state-run bus, on which journalists were being taken by the government to cover the tourism festival in Ukhrul district on Tuesday (May 20, 2025), and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. The government formed a two-member inquiry committee and said that it will 'examine facts and circumstances involving security personnel and Manipur State Road Transport Bus carrying media persons to cover the Manipur Shirui festival on May 20 near Gwaltabi checkpost', according to an order issued by the Home Department.
