Our Correspondent
Imphal, Dec. 1 (EMN): The Manipur Sangai Festival, 2022 concluded on Nov. 30 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the closing function via a video message at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre in Imphal.
The Prime Minister said that Manipur Sangai Festival helps in promoting Manipur as a world-class tourism destination.
“Manipur Sangai Festival highlights the spirit and passion of the people of Manipur”, he said before applauding the efforts and the comprehensive vision of the state government and Chief Minister N Biren Singh for organising this festival.
The Prime Minister also stressed on Manipur’s abundant natural beauty, cultural richness and diversity, and said that everyone wants to visit the state at least once and drew an analogy to a beautiful garland that is made up of different gems.
The Prime Minister further added that Manipur is exactly like an elegant garland where one can witness a mini India in the state.
Biren Singh, who was the chief host of the event said that Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, who was in the state for the opening of the Festival, had during his visit assured INR 100 crore for development of tourist spots in the state including the Sangai Ethnic Park.
Highlighting various events and programmes conducted during the 10-day long festival including MMA event, indigenous wrestling, Sagol Kangjei, international polo, cultural shows, among others, the Chief Minister said the festival is conducted at 14 venues across the State.
He said that the Festival, celebrated this year with the theme ‘Festival of Oneness’ which is also appreciated by the Prime Minister, aims to spread the message of unity and oneness in the State and country.
The Chief Minister also spoke on certain initiatives taken up during the festival like the Tourist Police, which he said, will be made a permanent force, Mounted Police (Sagol gi police) woman commandos at venues.
He also highlighted high profile visits from Consul General US (Kolkata), Consul General France (Kolkata), US Consulate General, Ambassadors of Myanmar/ Thailand/ Cambodia and High Commissioner of Brunei and others during the festival. He said that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan brought along a cultural troupe strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Chief Guest of the closing event, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju said, “We always feel proud of our culture and identity. The vibrancy of Manipur, its vibrant culture as well as natural beauty of Manipur has been attractive all over.”
“Manipur is a unique state which really shines in all spheres of life,” he said, before lauding the sporting potential of the state’s sportspersons.
The Manipur sportsperson have been winning medals and displaying their skills and talents across the globe, he said.
Besides sports, the culture especially the art form of Manipuri dances and beautiful folk dances in the hills of Manipur are mesmerising, he said further stressing that Manipur is a unique state which has unlimited potential to grow.
Lauding the efforts of CM Biren Singh for bringing positive and colourful changes in the Sangai festival, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu said that the initiative of celebrating the Festival across the state with flavours of neighbouring states as well as the cultural taste from the South East Asian countries has truly defined the tagline of the Festival the Festival of Oneness.
The event was attended by Chief Justice and Justices of Manipur High Court, Ministers, Rajya Sabha MP Maharaj Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar, DGP P. Doungel, among
others.