CORRESPONDENT
IMPHAL, OCTOBER 24
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]anipur’s state capital wore a festive look on the eve of the Ningol Chakkouba, the biggest annual festival of Manipur which is scheduled to be celebrated across the State tomorrow.
Most of the important streets in Imphal namely Paona bazar, Thangal bazar, Nagamapal,Wahengbam leikai were found congested throughout the day as buyers throng the Khwairamband Keithel, the main market in Imphal town, for last-minute shopping.
Even the popular Ima Keithel which is believed to be Asia’s largest women run women’s market were flooded with fresh vegetables, fruits and other essential items. The law-enforcing agencies, particularly the police and traffic police, have been busy in monitoring the situation. Many handloom and handicraft bodies are also organizing handloom fairs at various locations to attract buyers.
In this juncture the State Fisheries Department, with an estimated target production of more than 75,000 kg of fish, organized a fish fair at the Mapal Kangjeibung in Imphal here in connection with the festival where married sisters are invited for grand feasts and given gifts by their brothers during the festival.State Commerce & Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Agriculture and fisheries Minister Md Abdul Nasir, Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Commissioner Fisheries Y Jugindro and Director Fisheries K Sarat attended the inaugural function as Chief Guest, President and Guests of Honour of the fish fair.
Minister Govindas Konthoujam assured that his department is trying its best to include fish as trade item of the Indo-Myanmar border trade soon. Import of fish from the Myanmar will be cheaper and get good quality comparing to other parts. The state produces 28,000MT of fish against the requirement of nearly 48,000MT.
Fishes like Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Common Carp, Grass Carp, Silver Carp and indigenous fish ‘Ngaton’ and ‘Pengba’ were sold at 70 stalls at the fair at reasonable prices.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and others, in separate statements, have greeted the people of Manipur on the occasion of the Ningol Chakkouba festival.
