Imphal-Mandalay chartered flight on the cards ; State gears up for Sangai Fest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 20 2015:
There would be two chartered flights of the Golden Myanmar between Imphal and Mandalay during the Manipur Sangai Festival 2015 (November 21-30) .
Moreover replicas of the traditional houses of different ethnic groups of Manipur would be put on display during the festival with a view to present a real, comprehensive picture of Manipur.
Briefing media persons at the Old Secretariat conference hall this afternoon, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore gave an account of the ongoing preparations for the 10-day annual festival.
A chartered flight of the Golden Myanmar would bring Myanmarese delegates to Imphal on the first day of the festival on November 21.On its return leg, the same aircraft would take passengers from Manipur to Myanmar.
There would be a another flight of the Golden Myanmar on November 26 and it would take back the Myanmarese delegates on its return leg.
The chartered flights would prove to be a big impetus in promoting tourism between Myanmar and Manipur, claimed the Chief Secretary.
The State Government has already invited Ambassadors of several countries to the Sangai Festival.
It has been decided to exhibit and sell only local products in the festival.
Moreover, replicas of the traditional houses of different tribal groups of Manipur would be built and exhibited at the festival.
Informing that the new Sanjenthong Bridge would be ready ahead of the festival, the Chief Secretary stated that all major roads of the capital city are being repaired/renovated.
Thailand and Myanmar have already sent proposals for opening 25 and five stalls respectively at the festival.
Plans are also afoot to stage Shumang Leelas during the festival.
As in the previous editions of the annual festival, there would be cultural programmes of each district, indigenous games and a polo tournament, the Chief Secretary stated.
Tourism Secretary Nidhi Mani Triparthy who was also present at the press meet informed that 15 Ambassadors and High Commissioners of South East Asian countries have been invited to the festival.
A conference would be held on the festival at Delhi on October 23 under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Saying that Japan was asking about the programmes of the annual festival, Nidhi claimed that the festival can prove to be a catalyst for India's Act East Policy.
The festival would also feature Asian Theatre Festival, Manipur, Myanmar Heritage Conference and a conference on food processing sector, Nidhi added.