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Our Correspondent
Moirang Khunou, Nov. 21 (EMN): Union DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) Minister G Kishan Reddy formally opened the much-awaited Manipur Sangai Festival 2022 here at the well decorated Sangai Ethnic Park near Keibul Lamjao, the only floating park in world in Manipur’s Bishnupur district.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Maharaj Leishemba Sanajaoba, ministers, MLAs, top officials of the state and central government were present during the colourful opening of the 10-day annual tourism promotion festival at the Sangai Ethnic Park – the main venue of the Festival located about 55 km south of Imphal.
This time, the Manipur Sangai Festival 2022 is being organised at 14 venues across the state including venues at Mao, Makhel-northernmost part and Behiang, Churachandpur-the southernmost part of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, DoNER minister Kishan Reddy expressed his gratitude that he got the opportunity to meet groups of 33 different communities at one place.
Stating that he could see the celebration of the festival with pomp and gaiety, he invited people across the country to visit the state and witness the beauty of the Festival.
He also appreciated the chief minister, his cabinet colleagues, MLAs and other officials for organising the festival in such a grand manner.
Stating that he would convey to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the organisation of the festival with construction of permanent structures at the Sangai Ethnic Park, the visiting minister also spoke on the natural beauty of Manipur and its uniqueness. He continued that the Central government had always been taking up initiatives for the development of Northeast states.
He informed that India would host the next G20 Summit and as such many big events would be held across the country. Some events will also be held in the state, he added.
In his inaugural speech, Chief Minister Biren Singh said that the festival is celebrated as the Festival of Oneness to achieve unity through participation of all indigenous communities of the state and to encourage oneness, sense of belongingness, pride of ownership of the land amongst the people.
On the other hand, MP Rajya Sabha Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba raised concern over the small population of the Sangai, classification of the Manipur Pony as endangered and shallowing of the Loktak Lake, and drew the attention of the Tourism, Culture and DoNER Minister towards the issues.
As part of the inaugural function, the Manipur Sangai Festival 2022 theme song by Mangka -a popular local folk singer was also rendered and cultural troupes also performed.
The festival will witness various events including fashion show, Sangai run, tourism pavilion, flower show, indigenous cultural programmes, handloom and handicrafts, traditional shows-Arambai, Mukna, Yubi Lakpi, International Polo Tournament, CM’s Sagol Kangjei Championship- a traditional sport which has now evolved into the modern game of Polo, Film screening and Mixed Martial Arts besides daily traditional dance sequences.
In view of the Sangai Festival which begins from Monday, certain traffic diversions including restrictions, and parking spaces have been notified.
For the first time, the Manipur police department is also introducing ‘tourist police’ to guide the tourists visiting the state during the festival by deploying a tourist police team at various locations including the airport.