Naharlagun, Oct 15: The Xwrmen Alo, which is one of the important festivals of the Galo society was organised here under the aegis of the women’s wing of the Galo Welfare Society (GWS) today.
The festival which was once on the verge of getting into oblivion was revived by the former MLA and philosopher Late Tumpak Ete after extensive research and consultation with elders, priests and Nyijik-Nyikoks. The result of this hard work was the compilation of a book on Nyirmen in 1985 and revival of the Nyirmen Alo celebration from the next year which continues till date. The GWS has taken up the celebration of Nyirmen Alo since 2015 through formation of local organising committees and it is celebrated in different places inhabited by the Galo community. “However due to the prevailing pandemic situation, this year’s celebrations have been conducted in a limited manner,” informed Organising Chairman Dr.Pagi Kamki Basar. Women’s Wing President Mipu Sora Ori informed that despite the pandemic, the wing has organised several programmes like mask making and distribution in different parts of the ICR, coordination in organisation of pan-Arunachal blood donation programme etc. She further informed that in a unique gesture of respect to the Covid warriors, a special lunch could be organised for doctors, nurses, technicians and supporting staff at the Covid Care Centre, Chimpu to mark this year’s Nyirmen Alo. 

Organising Secretary of Nyirmen Alo 2020 Bai Bam while reading out the mythological aspects of the festival, said it is more of a way of life than a festival. The Galo community follows the lunar calendar and the first month according to it is ‘Lubo’ also called Gute-gamro, meaning ‘The Auspicious Month’. Nyirmen symbolises the beginning of auspicious occasions and paves the way for propitious events such as Togu, Ampir, Peka, Mopin-Moji etc. Vice President (T & D) GWS Dr Rime Ngulom Potom shared in detail about the activities taken up in development of the Galo stall and its designer Jumpu Ronya Ete was recognised with a citation and a memento for her voluntary service in making the design which was given away by the GWS President Er. Tanag Kena. While appreciating the activities taken up by Women’s Wing towards popularising the vocal for local initiatives, he declared that a seed capital of Rs.10 lakh has been earmarked from GWS account to the wing to start a multi-purpose cooperative society for handholding of the SHGs of Galo-inhabited areas. He also declared that a new stall for Atmanirbhartha products is being launched officially by the Galo community for popularising local handloom and handicrafts. 
GWS General Secretary Gomar Basar while opining that the Atmanirbharta programme will primarily be a women’s movement, also informed that a skill development programme has been launched for imparting training to the youths and women groups on specific trades. 500 copies of ‘Nyirmen Banggi’, the book written by Late Tumpak Ete has been taken up for printing for distribution in various libraries, district units etc. he informed. GWS Vice President Mojum Bam shared some ideas for making the next year’s celebration more worthwhile by organising a handloom and handicrafts fair for promotion of the products made by the SHGs.
GWS Adviser Jarjum Ete and Chairman GLDC Dr Takop Zirdo shared their good wishes on the occasion and declared the results of the Galo online folktale competition which was organised by the MPL Newslive YouTube channel under sponsorship of the GWS. Altogether 117 participants took part in the competition and Dagi Ori won the first prize, Mogam Sora the second and Kirmin Doji the third.
The programme was marked by songs performed by Rode Karch and Marpi Bam. A music audio album ‘Mubu Aba’ produced by Gumrik Siram was also launched on the day. GWS PR 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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