UMANG Festival, also known as ‘ Festival of the Disabled/Special’ hosted by Mizoram for the seventh time, was held at Synod Conference Centre, Mission Veng, Aizawl during 23rd - 24th August 2016. It was organised by North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur in collaboration with Art & Cultural Department, Mizoram.
The reporting UMANG Festival was held following the programme of North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur that planned holding UMANG Festival simultaneously in various places of the North East States of India. Though initially it was expected to have participants from Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura besides those from two(2) Blind/Special Schools of Mizoram, regret information from Manipur and Tripura was received and, one(1) Blind School of Mizoram was permitted to fill in.
Registration of participants of the Festival from within and without Mizoram State was duly done in the afternoon and all were safely taken to their rooms in the Synod Conference Centre. Dinner was served following which the Escorts/Teachers and the Camp Staff met. Devotion and Entertainment programme was hosted by Gilead Special School thereafter, and all participating Schools presented special items which was much enjoyed by all.
Unlike previous Festivals, the reporting Festival held Talent Presentation as scheduled by NEZCC Dimapur, from 10:00am till 12:00 noon in St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School, Tlangnuam, Aizawl. The programme was led by Mrs. Lucy Joseph, Vice-Principal with a Welcome Speech which was followed by an Introductory Speech from Mr. F. Lalthanmawia, Archivist and Camp Director. The Archivist and Camp Director thanked the Principal and Staff of St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School for accommodating the Festival with warmth and then presented the participating Schools thus:
1. Beat Group : Integrated Blind School, Kolasib
2. Group Singing : Onyx Special School, Lunglei
3. Special Item : Cherry Blossoms School, Kohima
4. Female Voice : Special Blind School, Durtlang
5. Jai Ho (Dance) : Gilead Special School, Bawngkawn
6. Beat Group : Integrated Blind School, Kolasib
The participants gave their all and did succeed in uproaring the Hall filled with hosting teachers and students. The participants then returned to Synod Conference Hall for Lunch and, after a short rest, left for Aizawl Theological College, Durtlang. The young participants had a lovely time viewing the city and the surrounding areas from the View Point of Aizawl Theological College.
A short Devotion was held right after dinner which was followed by Entertaiment Programme wherein each participating school presented a special item. The programme was a success; it was truly enjoyed by one and all.
The second day of the Festival saw the participants presenting their Talents on the College Lawn of the Missionary Training College at Mission Vengthlang, Aizawl. The Registrar of the College, Rev. Lalrinkima, delivered a Welcome Speech, thanking the participants for their presentation of talents with great will which, he added, would help much in developing them. The Archivist & Camp Director, Mr. F. Lalthanmawia, thanked the host College for sparing their time and for the warm welcome as he introduced the participants and introduced the Festival. The participating Schools then presented their talents through the following items:
1. Group Singing : ONYX Special School, Lunglei
2. Special Item : Cherry Blossoms School, Kohima
3. Jai Ho (Dance) : Gilead Special School, Bawngkawn
4. Female Voice : Special Blind School, Durtlang
5. Solo : Integrated Blind School, Kolasib
02:00 pm - 04:00 pm : Closing Function
The Closing Function of the Seventh UMANG Festival 0f Aizawl, Mizoram, held at 02:00 pm at Pi Zaii Hall, Synod Conference Centre, Aizawl, was chaired by Mrs. Carol VLMS Dawngkimi, Joint Director, and a brief report of the Festival was given by Mr. F. Lalthanmawia, the Archivist & Camp Director. The Function was graced by the Chief Guest, Mr. _, Parliamentary Secretary, Art & Culture Department who spoke on the worth of persons with disabilities, applauding their talents and will to develop as also their obeisance. He concluded with an encouragement to the audience to help the best way they could in uplifting persons with disabilities. Each participating School presented a special item which culminated in the Chief Guest gifting of an amount each for tea to the participating schools. Ms Lalremsiami, a soloist, too did her part in entertaining the audience. Dinner was served to all after the Function, after which the participants returned to the Synod Conference Centre.
The participants from Nagaland and Mizoram departed the next morning i.e, 25th August 2016 (Thursday).
It is with gratitude that the report concludes - that the Festival was a huge success though of a short duration with the lively, entertaining Talent Presentation and the encouraging obeisance of the participants and the will of the teachers. It is hereby suggested that more of such programmes be organised in the coming days.
