Millet Festival ends with urbanization roadmap launch

Kingniu Village Millet Festival 2025 was held at Kingniu Heritage Centre on September 24, 2025 under the theme “Sowing Tradition, Harvesting the Future,” celebrating millet as a heritage grain and resilient crop while launching a vision for Indigenous Urbanization.
The event was graced by Bunei M. Lamthiu, MLA as chief guest, who was accorded a traditional warrior’s welcome followed by log drum performance. In his keynote, Lamthiu declared the festival open and encouraged revival of traditional farming practices alongside modern techniques.
He appreciated Chingthur Foundation for pioneering the initiative and assured support for agricultural development.
Guest of Honour, Deputy Commissioner Noklak, P. Mono Khiamniungan, officially launched the Indigenous Urbanization Roadmap—the first of its kind in Khiamniungan land. He urged villagers to uphold honesty, preserve indigenous identity, and work diligently for sustainable living.
Certificates were awarded to high-yielding millet farmers from Kingniu, Pathso, Pathso Neking and Ekhao villages by Prof. Dr. Darlando Khathing, Pro-Chancellor, North East Christian University. Rev. Dr. Narong Tongsuk of ECHO Asia Foundation, Thailand, led a seed exchange ceremony and received a collective seed sample for the ECHO Asia Impact Center.
Speakers included Rev. Dingshungngamang Kamei, Executive Director, Chingthur Foundation; Mr. Pesha Khiamngan, CF Board Member; and NABARD DDM Kiphire, Imkongyanger Imchen. The event concluded with tree planting, cultural performances and closing remarks by CF Chairperson Akeina Gonmei and Pastor Chillio of Kingniu Baptist Church.
The festival marked a milestone in community resilience and sustainable development through tradition-based innovation.