Only 800 stalls for Sangai Fest this year
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 12 2018:
Around 800 stalls are reportedly going to be opened for this year's Sangai Festival which will be held from November 21 to 30.According to an official source, this year's Sangai Festival will be held at four different locations namely Keibul Lamjao, Hapta Kangjeibung, Lamboikhongnangkhong and Mao (Cherry Blossom Festival).
The source informed that similar to last year's event, this year's Sangai Festival will be flagged off at Keibul Lamjao even though details are still scarce as to who will inaugurate the festival.
If the event is to be inaugurated by either the President or the Prime Minister, then due to security reasons, the inauguration event will most probably be organised at Hapta Kangjeibung, the source added.
Last year, 525 stalls were initially planned but the number was eventually increased to 1094 due to various pressures which resulted in various inconveniences for those running the stalls, apart from rendering the organiser helpless as well to ease the situation.
Taking stock of last year's situation, a State level organising committee chaired by the Chief Minister himself, has decided to limit the number of stalls for this year's Sangai Festival at 800 .
Pointing out that all the stalls will be only of a single category, the source explained that interested people can send their application through a dedicated on-line portal for the said purpose from October 20 to 31 .
The stall allocation process will be completed by November 14, the source added.
It may be mentioned that said festival was organised by the State Government for the first time in 2010 under the name Manipur Tourism Festival with the aim of promoting tthe rich art and culture, handloom and handicraft products, indigenous sports, adventure sports and to showcase tourism potential of the State.
The festival was eventually given the name Sangai Festival and now it is held from November 21 to 30 every year.
The source continued that out of the 800 stalls for this year's Sangai Festival, 300 will be opened at Hapta Kangjeibung while 500 stalls will be opened at Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboikhongnangkhong.
The source explained that out of the said stalls at the two locations, 45 stalls each will be for Government Departments and 80 each will be food stalls.
Pointing out that the stalls will also include security check booth and media centres, the source informed that the remaining stalls will be commercial stalls like handloom, handicraft, micro, small and medium enterprises, agriculture, horticulture and allied industries etc.
Some of the stalls will be for foreign participants as well, the source added.