Sangai Festival: Chief Minister sets the mood with curtain raiser
Source: The Sangai Express / D1PR
Imphal, November 15 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren literally set a festive mood among the masses by holding a curtain raiser event for the upcoming Manipur Sangai Festival 2022 at the western gate of Kangla today.
Manipur Sangai Festival 2022, being organised under the theme "Festival of Oneness" will be a grand event and it will be held at 13 venues across the State, Chief Minister N Biren said today during the curtain raiser event.
The curtain raiser event was also attended by Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, Ministers and MLAs.
"We are not confining the festival in the city alone, we want public involvement in the festival from every corner of the State and make it truly State-wide", N Biren said adding that Mao, bordering Nagaland will also be hosting a curtain raiser today.
Further stating that the main venue of the festival will be at Sangai Ethnic Park at Moirang Khunou, the Chief Minister said the public may now visit the park where permanent structures are being constructed so that the festival may be organized there every year.
He also thanked and appreciated the people and MLAs of Thanga and Moirang Assembly Constituencies for their cooperation and support to all the construction works and said not a single compensation was sought by the public during the whole construction work including road widening process.
The Chief Minister also said that various events will be included in this year's edition of the festival including indigenous Sagol Kangjei inside the Kangla Kangjeibung.
The festival will also have Arambai throwing event, he said.
Saying that this year's festival will witness many tourists from outside the State, the Chief Minister appealed to all the people to be polite and friendly to all tourists.
"It is the time to showcase and highlight our culture, civilization, decency, discipline, etc", he said.
N Biren also highlighted that events will be held at Makhel in Senapati, Behiang and Geljang in Churachandpur, among others.
The Chief Minister along with the other dignitaries also released the Manipur Sangai Festival, 2022 theme song by Mangka Mayanglambam and balloons to mark the opening of the curtain raiser event.
Rhythms of Manipur also presented their 'Dancing Drummer'.
Other highlights include Pung Cholom, blowing of conch and penna invocation.
Biren also flagged off the Sangai Run which concluded at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium after passing through Lamlong Bazar, Kongba Bazar, Pishumthong, Keishampat, etc.
Popular actress Soma Laishram was declared festival ambassador by the Chief Minister.
Other well-known personalities from different fields including former National and world boxing champion Laishram Sarita, actors Gurumayum Bonny, RK Somorendro (Kaiku), Hijam Bala, Ningombam Biju and designer Robert Naorem also attended the event, among others.
The Chief Minister also launched an online lottery for distribution of Sangai Festival stalls.
Later, the Chief Minister along with Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, DGP P Doungel and others inspected the ongoing work at the Sangai Ethnic Park.
A similar curtain raiser event was also held at Mao Gate, bordering Nagaland, today.
The event was attended by H&FW Minister Dr S Ranjan Singh and CAF&PD Minister L Susindro Meitei as chief guest and president respectively.
As part of the event, Sangai Marathon Run was flagged off from Martyrs Park, NH-39 to the Cherry Blossom Festival venue and a monolith of Raku Kokubu (base camp) was also unveiled.
Dr S Ranjan said that Cherry Blossom Festival has been organized as a part of Sangai Festival this year at Mao under the able leadership of the Chief Minister.
The main objective of organizing the festival in this area is to showcase the hospitality and talent of the people.
"We need to promote talents in the midst of the festivity as there are many talented people in the State", he added.
Saying that Manipur has a lot of tourism potential, Dr Ranjan highlighted the need to promote tourism with a futuristic vision.
"To witness a beautiful and tempting Cherry Blossom Festival next year, we need to work together for the overall development of the State", he added.
L Susindro Meitei stated that the people of Mao have been playing a great role in safeguarding and protecting the State's border.
"As Manipuris, we should know our mother tongue for smooth communication among the communities of the State", Susindro said.
He appealed to the people of the area to cooperate with the Government in organising the Cherry Blossom Festival in a grand manner in the coming years.
MLA J Komu Sha, Senapati DC, officials of Health Services, local leaders attended the event, among others.
Later the Minister and his team inspected Sub-District Hospital, Mao and District Hospital, Senapati.
The Sangai Festival started in the year 2010 and has grown over the years.
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