Chilli Festival underway in Manipur

Our Correspondent Imphal, Aug. 29: Hathei, the three-day long 9th Hathei Phanit (Chilli Festival) was inaugurated at Sirarakhong village, Ukhrul district on Wednesday. The festival is organised by Sirarakhong Hathei Promotion Committee & Sirarakhong Villagers under the sponsorship of North Eastern Council. Earlier, Sirarakhong Sinao Long, the village women’s organisation organised the event. Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar, Joint Director Birachandra Singh, District Officer M Kirankumar Singh of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Director H Balkrisna Singh of Directorate of Information and Public Relations attended the inaugural function of the festival. Chairman K Dickson of ADC Ukhrul, Headman V Wungkhan Zimik of Sirarakhong village, President Weapon Zimik of Tangkhul Naga Long, village headmen of different villages, villagers of Sirarakhong and others also attended the festival. Speaking on the occasion, Shyamkumar said that Manipur has many communities and places which have different specific specialties. Stating that the Sirarakhong’s Hathei which grows naturally is definitely a god’s gift, he said that the state government takes the festival seriously as it is aware of the many difficulties faced by the farmers/villagers and the speciality of the place. He promised that after discussing with the farmers and the villagers special steps will be taken up by the department to increase the production of the chillies. The minister also announced INR 13.50 lakhs for the construction of rural market shed and allocation of a 4x4 vehicle for the transportation of local produces till the capital city after September this year. He advised the people to focus and work harder for the production of more chillies. IPR Director Balkrishna, Joint Director Birachandra and District Officer M Kirankumar of horticulture department also spoke on the occasion. There are seven varieties of chillies in the state and if Hathei is added than the number increases to a total of eight varieties, according to Birachandra. The official sources said special survey is needed to record regarding the production of chillies adding that the areas for the cultivation of the chillies needs to be expanded as the demand is more than the actual supply.