IMPHAL, Nov 21: The annual tourism carnival of the State, Sangai Festival commenced this evening with much fanfare at the Hapta Kangjeibung Imphal. The inaugural function was held at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre, attended by a host of international and national dignitaries, including the higher officials of the government of Manipur.
This year’s special guest is HE Mr Nils Ragnar Kamsvag, Ambassador, Toyal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi.
Inaugurating the 10 day long festival, Manipur Governor his Excellency V Shanmuganathan said that Manipur is richly endowed with natural beauty and splendor, home to Sangai, a rare species of deer and Siroy Lily.
Saying that the state has great potential for tourism, Governor said that the economy of the state can be promoted through tourism. The state is developing in tourism sector, he said.
Chief Minister of the State, Okram Ibobi in his speech said that his government is committed to develop the tourist destinations in the state to attract more foreign and domestic tourists.
“ Manipur, a tiny state is famous for its Cultural diversity and sports talents. It is marked by Raas Leela, Pung Cholom, Thang Ta, and Lai Haraoba, renowned for the myriad festivals of its many diverse communities such as Phit Lam, Lui-Ngai-Ni, Gan-ngai, Chumpha, Kut and many others, Manipur is a never ending story of festivities round the year. Manipur is also famous for ‘Polo’ which originated here. Manipur has a recorded history of 2000 years and has made many contributions to the world in terms of indigenous sports and varied art forms. Thus, Manipur holds a great interest for the world travelers”, CM said.
“ We are having a separate Manipur Tourism Pavilion showcasing the Arts & Crafts, Food, Handloom etc. of Manipur like the Kouna Craft, Pottery, Phe, Embroidery, Bamboo Craft, Wood Carvings, Crafts, Dolls and Toys, Thang Saba, Indigenous Musical Instrument, Tribal Jewellery, Tribal Textiles etc, Traditional Huts depicting way of life of different Tribes of Manipur, a 2nd World War Exhibition Pavilion where Photographs, Displays, Maps, War Records etc. of Second World War would be showcased”.
He revealed that Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has recently sanctioned the project ‘Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-Mo
We have the Manipur Tourism Policy, 2014 for comprehensive development, promotion and marketing of Manipur Tourism. Further, to utilize tourism infrastructures optimally, our Government has also approved policy for leasing out these facilities under Public-Private Partnership with a view to make these functional and tourist worthy. We are also taking-up development of World Class Tourism Facilities at Loktak Lake and towards this ends, we are in the process of implementing another ambitious project i.e. ‘Integrated Cable-Car and Lakeside Tourism Development Project at Loktak Lake, Manipur’ which has been sanctioned during 2013-14 by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for implementation in Public Private Partnership mode under Large Revenue Generating Scheme.
Chief Minister said, “Tourism is seen as one of the hope of Manipur, and if we are successful in developing tourism in the State, then we can see a massive change in the economic conditions of the people. Employment generation, rise in the per capita income and improvement in the standards of living of the people can happen if the State is able to exploit the tourism potential that it has”.
Development of tourism needs Basic infrastructure facilities, such as good roads, adequate supply of drinking water, availability of power supply not only in the capital, Imphal but the far flung areas of the State which have immense tourism potential, once provided, can bring about a complete change and give a proper direction to tourism in the State.The State Government has taken up various measures in the field of road connectivity and other facilities to reach the full potential of the tourism, he said.
The opening function was also graced by Dy CM Gaikhangam and M Prithiviraj, Parliamentary Secretary Tourism & YAS, Government of Manipur as guest of honour.
The function was also attended by Council of ministers of the Government of Manipur, MLAs, State chief secretary O Nabakishore , DGP Shahid Ahmed and other civil and police higher officials of the State.
At the end of the formal function, the evening was lighted up with colorful cultural performances, with the auditorium jam-packed with people.
“Minungshigi Sheidinnapham”, Choreographic presentation by W Lokendrajit Singh, JN Dance Akademy mesmerized the highly packed BOAT.
Photo Credit: ManipurTimes and Dennis Elangbam
For more updates on Manipur Sangai Festival 2015, please foloow
https://manipurtimes.com/
and
Manipur Sangai Festival Official FB page at Manipur Sangai Festival
[fbalbum url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.431571256967706.1073742500.181200988671402]
