3rd edition of Shirui Lily Festival concludes in Ukhrul

[caption id="attachment_278108" align="alignleft" width="200"] Winner of Miss Spring 2019, Chanchui Khayi during the Shirui Lily Festival beauty pageant at Ukhrul in Manipur on Saturday.[/caption]

• Nightmare band from Sikkim wins rock music contest • Chanchui Khayi is Miss Spring 2019

Our Correspondent Imphal, Oct. 19 (EMN): With the announcement of results of various competitions, the 3rd edition of the Shirui Lily Festival, organised by the state Tourism department concluded at Ukhrul district headquarters, 84 km north east of Imphal, capital of Manipur. A rock band from Sikkim Nightmare bagged first prize of the rock music competition — ShiRock 2019 while Chanchui Khayi, a Tangkhul belle was declared as Miss Spring 2019. Manipur governor Dr. Najma Heptulla, Arts And Culture Minister L Jayentakumar, Education Minister Th Radheshyam, Sports Minister Letpao Haokip, Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited Chairman Dr Ranjan Sapam , officials attended the closing function. Addressing the closing function, Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla said that Manipur falls in one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world and the acclaimed lily is indicative of such richness. “The focus on global warming and climate change and its impact on our biodiversity and the efforts being made to leverage timely measures are laudable,” she said. It is unfortunate that the Lily is becoming rarer and many experts have felt that it may ultimately become extinct with the rising temperature and change in the habitat, she lamented. “I am glad that ICAR has taken up tissue culture of this plant and hope that it will perpetuate this plant not only in its original habitat but also in laboratory conditions so that it does not become extinct,” Dr. Heptulla said. Arts And Culture Minister L Jayentakumar said in memory of the World War II and its scenic beauty, the government will construct a war memorial complex or a tourist spot at Harva Khangai of Ukhrul district. Stating that Ukhrul’s Shirui lily and Sirarakhong chilli are state’s pride, the minister said it is the duty of the citizens to promote them. As part of the day’s programme, governor released “Child Rights Slogan” and distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions. On October 16, Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel and Chief Minister N Biren Singh had opened the festival at Shirui village in the hill district.