Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 20 2009:
The Manipur Tourism Festival which commenced on December 10 has concluded this evening at Hapta Kangjeibung or Palace Compound here with unprecedented thousands of people rushing to the venue of the festival creating a chaotic traffic jam on the roads around the Palace gate.
Traffic control police assisted by a large number of personnel of the Imphal East district police had a hard time to regulate the traffic at Palace gate and approach roads when people in thousands came to witness the final events at the tourism festival.
Traffic jam on the stretch of the road from Sanjenthong to Nongmeibung, from Palace gate to New Chekon and from Andro parking to Wangkhei which started from this afternoon became more confounded till late this evening even after the chief guest of the closing function of the festival had declared the festival closed.
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The formal concluding function held amidst the jostling crowds was graced by Commissioner (Tourism), BB Sharma as the chief guest.
Under secretary (Tourism), Th Ibochouba presided over the function and Director of UGC Staff Training College, Manipur University, RK Ranjan also attended as guest of honour.
Acknowledging that the Protected Area Permit (PAP) and Restricted Area Permit (RAP) are the main hindrance in the inflow of foreign tourists in the state, the tourism department is pressing the Centre to lift both.
It is getting closer to the possibility, said BB Sharma while addressing the mammoth gathering.
He also appealed to the people to attract tourists from outside by well-behaved mannerism, and give them a yearning for visiting the state again and again.
It can not be the efforts of the Tourism Department alone that can attract tourists to the state, people's contribution is also required, he said.
The Union Ministry of Tourism has been investing huge fund in the tourism industry.
By taking advantage of the schemes, both the hills and valley areas could be developed equally and improve the standard of living of the people of the state with the help of tourism industry, the Commissioner said.
He also announced that the tourism festival will be held every year from December 10 to 19 keeping in mind the overwhelming response of the people who thronged the festival during the last 10 days.
Under Secretary (Tourism), Th Ibochouba, addressing the gathering as president of the function, observed that the festival could bring people of all sections of the society together.
The festival also gives spirit of working to create new designs of things for sale.
It will help generate jobs to the unemployed youths of the state, he expressed confidence.
The organising department also honoured stalls which took part in the festival with presents.
The festival is proposed to be known as the Sangai Tourism Festival from next year onward.