Pinning hope on Sangai festival to draw tourists
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: September 09, 2022 -
IN case the Covid-19 situation does not get worsen but remains under control, as it is now, then it is obvious that this year's Manipur Sangai Festival will be a well-attended calendar event.
Prior to onset of the pandemic, that forced cancellation of the tourism promotional festival for the last two editions, the government-funded event used to be overshadowed or preceded by public movement over varied issues.
For instance, ahead of the festival in 2019, boycott call was given by COCOMI, a civil society organisation, in denunciation of the Union government's stand on the dual issues of Naga peace talks and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Consequently, the number of visitors to the festival venues witnessed a sharp decline compared to the earlier editions which used to be marked by ceaseless number of visitors thronging different venues.
The significance of holding the festival successfully could be comprehended from successive governments making consistent efforts to maintain socio-political decorum in the state which had been synonymous with different sensitive issues that instinctively trigger public agitations and throw normal life out of gear.
As agitating groups made it a point to enforce complete cessation of entertainment events, the public as well as event organisers had to forego any idea of associating with recreational programmes.
Under such a perennially distressful situation, the Sangai Festival since its inception in 2010 used to be one of the most eagerly awaited events for the state's masses to revel in, regardless of the fact that edibles and decorative items are exorbitantly priced and many of the cultural programmes are redundant.
Due to the restive state, people have the tendency to rejoice the most as if there will be no tomorrow.
Thus, it is understandable that people looked forward to at-least a week's time of refreshing their minds and relishing the festive mood normally associated with the Sangai festival.
As such, prevalence of socio-political stability is most essential factor for successful conduct of a grand event like the Sangai festival and it is obvious that the government of Manipur would be most eager to draw maximum number of crowds for the upcoming festival for the state has been passing through one of the most peaceful times and there seems to be no sign of the pandemic situation getting aggravated anytime soon.
Contrary to the general perception that Sangai Festival is an occasion for recreation and merriment, the calendar event is an opportunity for the state to explore ways of boosting economy by showcasing its tourism potentials before the global community.
Tourists come to the state for the festival with high hopes of witnessing the state's cultural riches, relishing their time at exotic locations and returning home with unique souvenirs.
In a commendable change from the past editions, the main venue for this year's Manipur Sangai Festival will be in and around Keibul Lamjao National Park, the origin and the only habitat of Sangai deer.
As ecotourism, floriculture and agro-forestry based tourism are some of the promising industries, which are still in the nascent stage in Manipur, it is expected that the change in venue will help increase tourist footfalls.
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