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Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 3 (EMN): To encourage the fish farmers and also supplement the fish demand at affordable prices during ‘Emoinu Iratpa Numit,’ the department of Fisheries organised ‘Emoinu Fish Festival’ for the first time in Imphal on Tuesday.
‘Emoinu Iratpa Numit’ is a ritual ceremony of the Meitei community where fishes are offered to goddess Emoinu, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. ‘Emoinu Iratpa Numit’ is celebrated in Manipur on the 12th day of Wakching month of Manipuri lunar calendar with traditional gaiety and religious fervour.
On this day, seasonal fruits, vegetables and fishes are offered to evoke the blessings of goddess Emoinu in every household of the Meitei community.
Inaugurating the fish festival at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal this morning, minister of Fisheries, H Dingo Singh, said that the department has been taking up steps to increase the fish yield in the state. He added that the department has been distributing loans under centrally sponsored schemes and state sponsored schemes to encourage the newly established fish farmers and entrepreneurs in order to increase fish yield in the state.
He also stated that the department is trying to implement cage culture and aquaculture scheme in the water bodies of the state to increase the yield. He, therefore, appealed to the public to refrain from malpractices and avoid fishing during breeding season.
He further appealed to the public to co-operate with the fishery department and fish farmers so as to increase the fish yield in the state.
“The Emoinu Fish Festival is mainly held to encourage the fish farmers and to decrease import of fish in the state,” he said.