1st Barak festival begins in Senapati

[caption id="attachment_223228" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Chief Minister N Biren along with ministers and womenfolk participating in a traditional Zeliangrong dance during the Barak fest in Senapati on Thursday.[/caption] Our Correspondent Senapati, Dec. 13 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday opened the first state-level Barak festival at Senapati located about 60 km north of Imphal. Under the theme ‘Sustaining peace and harmony,’ the festival is being organised to protect and conserve Barak river. In his address, chief minister expressed his desire to organise the festival in greater scale and more systematic manner with the participation of tourists and cultural troupes from other states and foreign countries from the next year. On border issues of Dzukou and Tungjoy village bordering Nagaland, he said that the matter can be sorted out as there is a very good friendly relationship and understanding among the chief ministers of Northeast states. He said the government would like to take up tree plantation in association with the forest officials besides introducing necessary solid waste management initiative along Barak river bank especially around the riverside villages and origin of the river in its upper course in Senapati district. Public Health Engineering Minister Losii Dikho said like Egypt is the gift of the Nile, Barak river has been playing pivotal role in maintaining a good ecosystem rich in floras and faunas in the state. Observing that requirement of water would increase manifold in coming days, water can be brought to the valley through tunnels, he opined. The minister also spoke about various projects being taken up by the hovernment in Senapati district. Revenue Minister Karam Shyam who also holds Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution portfolio, also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, the chief minister unveiled the Barak Monolith and opened the festival by lighting the festival lamp. Cultural presentations from different tribes of the district, Miss Barak contest, Barak Voice Hunt, musical night, DJ nite, traditional car rally competition and expedition/trekking to Barak origin at Liyai Khullen were the main attractions of the say.