Curtains down on Sangai Fest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 30 2015:
The 10-day Manipur Sangai Festival which was held here since November 21 with the primary objective of projecting Manipur as a popular international tourism destination wrapped up this evening.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi graced the colourful closing ceremony held at BOAT.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ibobi said that Manipur would certainly find its rightful place in the list of popular tourist destinations located across the world.
The 10-day long festival which successfully highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Manipur went off smoothly and peacefully because of the enthusiastic support and cooperation extended by all the people of the State.
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Noting that Manipur is often described as a mini-India, Ibobi underscored the importance of peaceful co-existence among all the communities of the State.
A lot of infrastructure development is required in order to make Manipur a popular tourism destination.
But what is more important is cordiality and hospitality.
The State's tourism sector, at the moment, is at a very nascent stage.
It would take time to make the tourism sector a vibrant one.
Nonetheless, there were instances where the Government worked on a war-footing, Ibobi stated.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who presided the closing ceremony, remarked that the festival is a very significant one which is gaining popularity year after year.
Hill communities of the State have their own festivals such as Kut for Kukis, Lui-Ngai-Ni and Gaan-Ngai for Nagas.
But Manipur Sangai Festival is not exclusive for any community.
It is a common festival of all the communities of Manipur and it is becoming a very effective medium of highlighting rich cultural heritage of Manipur at the National and international levels.
The festival also provides a good platform for forging closer ties with many foreign countries.
The inherent message of Manipur Sangai Festival is that mankind is one and equal.
If the visitors of the festival went back with this message, all the efforts that went in organising the festival can be considered fruitful, Gaikhangam continued.
Attending the closing ceremony as guest of honour, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshore prayed that the festival may strengthen the bond of fraternity shared by different communities of Manipur.
Tourism and YAS Parliamentary Secretary M Prithiviraj hailed all the departments concerned for successfully organising the festival.