More foreign footfalls possible: Works Minister
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 22 2015 :
Works and Transport Minister Kh Ratankumar on Monday said the Second World War affected Manipur.
The people of the state got an opportunity to interact with the outsiders and update their knowledge.
Besides there are today battle tourisms in the state.
Ratankumar was speaking in the closing ceremony of 71st Anniversary Battle of Imphal World War II under the theme "lift of Imphal Siege/ Milestone 109".The observation was jointly organized by Manipur Tourism Forum and Second World War Foundation at MFDC.
Attending as the Chief Guest in the function Ratankumar disclosed that the government has plans to develop the second war spots where the foreigners look forward to visiting.
The Governments of India, Myanmar and China are keen to construct good roads and air connectivity with the south East Asian countries.
The minister appreciated the efforts and contribution of the Manipur Tourism Forum and the Foundation for researching history and finding out the significance of Manipur in the Second World War.
He opined that the future of Tourism Industry in the state looks promising as Manipur will receive better footfalls of tourists, even more so with the opening of Asian Highway in Manipur and the rail connectivity that will be materialised by 2016-17.The government have started construction of roads from Bishnupur to Nungba and Bishnupur to Jiri.
YAS and Tourism Parliamentary Secretary M Prithviraj said that Manipur became a historic place for the world after the Second World War.
However our people do not know many things due to lack of exploration and research, he said.
He asked the people to do more research on the Second World War and contribute to include our state in the World History.
Director Tourism Government of Manipur Shyam Lal Poonia IAS and Manipur Tourism Forum president Dr Th Dhabali attended as Guest of Honour and President respectively.
Six surviving war veterans of the state were honoured with the presentation of mementoes.
A one-minute silence was observed to pay homage to the departed souls in the Second World War.
Later, a film based on the War entitled 'Imphal 1944' by Japanese film-maker Junichi Kajioka was screened.