AIZAWL: The best time to visit Mizoram is during elections. There is music in the air while the Indian dirty political cutting remarks that are so common when the polls are announced takes a backseat, far behind.An election manifesto release function of the Congress at Aizawl’s most well-known address, Vanapa Hall, on Thursday looked more characteristic of rock festival than what one gets to see in other states.After the state anthem, it was the foot tapping Congress’s party song, which translated into English goes as “O Mizoram be on your feet and be still, be fearless for the Lord God Almighty is with you…” that set the supporters to sway, including chief minister Lal Thanhawla on the dais.Last week its rival Mizo National Front held its own manifesto release function with the same characteristics in the same locality and with its own party song.State Congress general secretary LH Chhuanawma said, “Yes music is a way of life and passion here. Most of the songs are gospels. This is how election functions are held. We are doing it today, a few days back MNF did it. It will be something to watch how BJP does,” he said.Unlike manifesto release functions in other states, which present a dull picture attended mostly by the media and gets over after a briefing, the one here continued till dusk and no one among hundreds of party supporters inside and outside Vanapa Hall was complaining.Apart from the electric atmosphere infused by songs, mostly gospel, in between speeches by leaders, the two other striking features that mark the Mizo society—punctuality and discipline, were spread all over the area. There were no traffic snarls, no rush and those sitting outside the hall would not step an inch on to the road and disturb traffic movement.And, there was no heavily armed security personnel deployed, not even chief minister Lal Thanhwala’s bodyguards were seen around him or anywhere in the vicinity of the hall. It is not for anything that the state is also known as the country’s most peaceful state.

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