Traditional boat race mess leaves media high and dry
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 26 2017:
Communication gap among the organisers of the 10 days long Manipur Sangai Festival left many media persons high and dry today.
As per the invitation from the Directorate of Tourism, Manipur, for Hiyang Tanaba traditional boat race as a part of Manipur Sangai festival at outer moat of Kangla Fort organised by Manipur Artist Association Thangapat Mapal, media persons gathered in front of the western side of Kangla gate but were surprised to see that not a single arrangement had been made for the boat race.
Non of the organisers of the event and the authority concerned were present at the spot except the single hoarding/banner of the boat race.
The media persons who had come to cover the event of traditional boat race, went to the northern gate and then southern gate passing through the western gate but failed to locate any sign of the event.
As per the invitation provided by the Tourism Department, the event was to begin from 2 pm with the arrival of dignitaries including Education Minister Th Radheshyam, titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, Chairman of Tourism Corporation of Manipur/ MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan and MLA Yaiskul A/C, Thokchom Satyabrata.
After searching for more than an hour, the media persons came to know that the event had been postponed to November 28 and the venue had also been changed by the organiser.
Many of the media persons expressed their dissatisfaction at such irresponsible attitude of the organisers
and the Tourism Department regarding the failure to inform the media about the postponement of the event which shows the lack of communication between the parties organising the traditional boat race as a part of Manipur Sangai festival.