‘Heal Our Land’: Peace and prosperity get-together with music concert held in Manipur's Chandel

In an effort to promote peace, unity and prosperity amid ongoing tensions in Manipur, a one-day get-together for peace and prosperity cum music concert was held on January 19 at the Town Hall in Chandel district headquarters.

The programme was organised by the All Manipur Tribal Film Organisation, Manipur (ATFOM) under the theme “Heal Our Land”, and featured cultural and musical performances by artists from various ethnic communities, reflecting the region’s rich diversity and shared heritage.

Attending the event as the chief guest, BJP MLA Thongam Bishwajit said that Manipur has long been home to multiple ethnic communities who have lived together for generations, bound by shared values, traditions and a common destiny. He acknowledged that differences do arise at times but stressed that coexistence has always been the defining character of the state.

Referring to the recent conflict, Bishwajit said the situation had tested the patience, tolerance and humanity of society. He noted that the violence had led to the loss of homes, erosion of trust and suffering of innocent lives, adding that such conflicts bring no benefit and only deepen pain for all communities involved.

Emphasising the need for lasting peace, the MLA said the way forward lies in peace rooted in justice, reconciliation guided by responsibility and governance strengthened by the rule of law. He said the call to “Heal Our Land” was not merely symbolic but a moral and political responsibility that extends beyond governments and formal peace talks.

“Healing can begin when we choose dialogue over destruction, restraint over revenge and unity over division,” Bishwajit said, urging people to adopt a mindset of forgiveness while clarifying that forgiving does not mean excusing crime, nor does forgetting imply erasing history.

Highlighting the significance of the event, he said music and culture are powerful instruments for peace and unity. In Manipur, he said, music is not just entertainment but a medium of memory, resistance and hope.

Bishwajit also said that Chandel has historically stood for discipline, dignity and coexistence, with strong village institutions and customary practices that have upheld harmony. He stressed that these traditions must now play a proactive role in spreading the message of peace.

Appealing to the wider public, he said, “From Chandel, let us send a powerful message to the entire Manipur — that we choose peace over provocation.”