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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren inspecting the ongoing preparation of Sangai festival at the Trade Centre in Imphal on Tuesday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 20 (EMN): Ahead of the opening of the biggest tourism festival of Manipur Sangai festival, to be kicked off today, Chief Minister N Biren Singh inspected the ongoing preparations at Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal west district.
Speaking to reporters, Singh said that this year’s festival is going to create history because it is being planned to organise in three venues of both hill and valley districts — Imphal, Mao and Keibul Lamjao for the first time. Besides 100 delegates from Myanmar, many foreign dignitaries are also expected to attend the festival, he said.
Informing that the festival would be held for three days at Mao and ten days at Imphal and Keibul Lamjao, Singh said that ‘Sangai Run’ would be conducted at all these venues today at 7:30 am simultaneously.
Forest and Environment Minister Th. Shyamkumar will be inaugurating the festival at Keibul Lamjao while the main inauguration function would be held at Hapta Kangjeibung at 4 pm, with Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the chief guest.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people of the State to give best hospitality to tourists and delegates visiting the State during the festival and guide them with utmost decency. He also urged the public to extend cooperation to the Government in keeping the roads, public places and surroundings neat and clean. He also urged all concerned not to call any type of bandh or blockade during the festival.
During his visit to the festival venue at Lamboikhongnangkhong, the chief minister inspected beautification works and construction of stalls.
He was accompanied by Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu, Secretary (Tourism) Nidhi Kesarwani, Director (Commerce and Industries) C Arthur Worchuiyo and other high ranking officials.
According to Tourism Director Ibohal, there would be 1000 stalls for the exhibition and sales of products.
The foreign delegates including the princess of Thailand, US ambassador, chief ministers of Mandalay and Saigang will attend the festival.
