Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, November 21
The 10-day Manipur Sangai festival got off to a colourful start at the well-decorated Hafta Kangjeibung ground here on Saturday.
The festival has been organised to showcase the uniqueness of the shy and gentle brow-antlered deer popularly known as Sangai which is found only in Manipur at the floating Keibul Lamjao National Park in Loktak Lake and to promote Manipur as a world class tourism destination.Manipur Governor V Shanmuganathan and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was the chief guest and functional president in the day’s the inaugural function at well designed Bhagyachandra Open air theatre at Hafta Kangjeibung.
Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvag of Norwegian Embassy was the special guest while Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Parliamentary secretary M Prithiviraj Singh were the guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Manipur Governor V Shanmuganathan appealed to the people to work for a harmonious and peaceful Manipur while inviting the people from other parts of the world to visit the state during the festival.
Stating that Manipur is a beautiful place as a gift of nature, he said beautiful people of Manipur should look forward a peaceful and harmonious lives through ‘mutual understanding and dialogue’ like the vanishing of ‘separatist movement’ from states like Tamil Nadu and others.
In his speech Chief Minister Ibobi said, “Tourism is seen as a hope for Manipur. We may see a massive change including the economy improvement of the people if it works.” Chief Minister however informed that improvement of tourism in the state needs infrastructure development at many important places including the far flung areas.
Stating that Manipur is marching ahead in the health and tourism sector, he said that the festival emphasizes to bring to the world, the best of what Manipur has to offer, indigenous cuisines and musicadventure sports and natural beauty.
Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvag,Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Parliamentary secretary M Prithiviraj also spoke on the occasion. The main attraction of the festival this time include 9th international polo tournament from tomorrow,asian theatre festival,international film festival, a series of cultural shows and other eco-tourism activities etc.
