Sangai Fest begins on a promising note
DoNER Minister inaugurates tourism fest
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, November 21 2013: With promise of a brighter future from renewing ties with Myanmar, the annual Sangai Festival, 2013, a premier tourism festival of Manipur began from today at the historic Hapta Kangjeibung in Palace Compound with a colourful cultural razzmatazz and scintillating fire works lighting up the night skyline of Imphal.

Union DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar opened the 10-day long 3rd annual tourism festival of Manipur organised by the State Tourism Department as Chief Guest.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Chief Minister of Myanmar's Mandalay Region U Ye Myint, Chief Minister of Sagaing Region U Thar Aye, state Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mairembam Prithviraj Singh, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Goutam Mukhapadhya, Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Principal Secretary (Tourism) Dr Rajesh Kumar, Dean of Foreign Service Institute Nemcha Louvum and three other Ministers and one MLA from Sagaing and Mandalay were also present on the dais of the grand opening ceremony held at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT).

A cultural ensemble at the inaugural function of Manipur Sangai Festival

Speaking at the inaugural function, Union DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar described Manipur as the true 'jewel of India' and observed that Sangai Festival has become a great potential for Indian tourism sector.

The Union Minister further said his Ministry has taken up various socio-economic development projects in Manipur which he said will be the best performing state in the country in near future.

U Ye Myint and U Thar Aye also spoke on the occasion, expressing their gratitude to the people of Manipur for their hospitality.

They said they were charmed by the scenic beauty of the state and the gaiety of the people.

Myint noted that there are similarities in geographic features, culture and traditions between Manipur and Mandalay and Sagaing regions of Myanmar.

"I hope the good relations between Manipur and these two regions will last forever," he added.

At the inaugural function of Manipur Sangai Festival

Aye maintained that the Sangai festival has strengthened the age-old relationship between Myanmar and Manipur.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Ibobi thanked the Myanmarese delegates for coming to participating in the Sangai Festival.

He also called upon the DoNER Minister to urge the Centre to expedite the steps for setting up the proposed regional passport and visa on arrival centres at Imphal.

Ibobi observed infrastructures in health, tourism and other sectors in the state are very weak and urged the DoNER Minister to aunch more development projects in the state.

The Chief Minister further appealed to the people to take part in the festival to make it a grand success.

In honour of the visiting Myanmarese delegates, the third day of Manipur Sangai Festival has been named as 'Myanmar Day.' Different cultural items of Myanmar would be showcased on this day, apart from inauguration of Manipur Polo International and boat race of Hiyang Hiran.

In all, 700 stalls, including 15 each from Myanmar and Thailand, and two from Bangladesh are taking part in the festival.

It is said that a six-member Chinese official delegation and High Commissioners of Bangladesh and Mauritius will also be coming to attend the festival this time.