Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 26 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday inaugurated the Manipur Heritage Site, Makhel and Development of a Protected Historical Site as a part of Manipur Sangai Festival 2022. He also inaugurated the Makhel Heritage Museum.
The Chief Minister was warmly welcomed by the Chief of Makhel Village, representatives of Mao Council and the locals of Makhel on his arrival.
Biren Singh was accompanied by Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai, Consumer Affairs Food & Public Department Minister L Susindro Meitei, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, Lok Sabha MP Dr Lorho Pfoze, MLAs Losii Dikho and J Kumo Sha during the inauguration programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren Singh appreciated the implementing agencies, Mao Council and concerned officials for making it possible to complete the construction of the Heritage Site within a short span of 2 and half months.
Stating that a conference hall and cottage would also be constructed, he added that the state government is aiming to develop the site as a world class heritage site. He continued that an amount of INR 5 to 6 crore had been expensed to develop the site adding that the government is planning to allocate another INR 5 to 10 crore for construction of guest house, to attract foreign tourists.
The Chief Minister expressed that the organisation of events at Makhel is not just for celebration of the Sangai Festival but the real importance is the gathering of the people of those communities, who were once believed to have left Makhel to reside at different places.
He recalled the Private Member Resolution moved by him at the Manipur Legislative Assembly session in 2002, appealing all the communities to forget and forgive all the historical mistakes. He continued that he had been thinking on how the relationship of different communities of the state be made closer since then.
Maintaining that the state government had launched the ‘Go to Hills Mission’ to address the hardship faced by hill people due to lack of basic amenities, Biren stated that his government had been working hard to bring equal development since the formation of his government in 2017.
He informed that an Indigenous Wrestling Stadium with a sanctioned cost of INR 7.5 crore will be constructed at Senapati and the construction of the stadium at Karong will also be completed soon, adding that Senapati would have a sports complex which will be next to Khuman Lampak. He also mentioned the construction of stadiums at Oklong would be completed soon and added that a gallery would be constructed for the same.
During the programme, Biren Singh also invited people of the state to visit the beautiful heritage site at Makhel and enjoy the festive mood.
In his presidential speech, Mao MLA Dikho spoke about the folktales he heard during his childhood days and recalled the narratives about three brothers who left Makhel for different places with the promise to meet again. He appreciated the Chief Minister for his initiatives and far-sighted vision, which have made the gathering of different communities at Makhel possible.
The presentation of folk songs, festival theme song and showcase of Ahom Traditional Dance, Meitei Traditional Dance, Chakhesang Traditional Dance, Saranamai Cultural Dance and Kalinamai Cultural Dance were main highlights of the day.