Chinjak festival begins with Intl flavours
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 22 2011: Along with participants from China, Korea, Thailand and Tibet, Chinjak Festival (II) International began from today at Iboyaima Shuma-ng Leela Shanglen here.

Being organised by Innovative Youth Society in collaboration with Department of Tourism, unique food festival would continue for 10 days.

In all 34 stalls including those from China, Korea, Thailand and Tibet are participating in the festival.

The Chinese food stall offers popular food items like Planung (stream fish), Pat Pren Wan (Sweet &sour), Kap Rro Pra (a type of soup), Jub Chai (mixed vegetables), etc that could tickle the palate of any foodies while the Thai stall beckons the visitors with Tomyan (Chicken green curry), Kow Pad (fish fried rice), Pad Tai (noodles) and other Thai packaged foods.

For those who like to get a taste of Kimchi (fermented vegetable) Sanggupsal (Pork slice), Korean food stall is just the right place.

The Tibetan food stall is not lagging behind others with offering of Lambhi (stream flour with spices) and a whole gamut of Tibetan food varieties.

Participating local food stalls including the famed Bora of Kakching, Bora and Tharoi Thongba of Nambol, Singju and Bora of Bashikhong, Watin of Top Khongnangkhong and Kakwa apart from indigenous food items of Andro, Ukhrul, Keishamthong and Sekmai.

Meira Food and Ima Foods are also among the local food manufacturers who have opened stalls in the festival.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Kritika, a participant from Thailand informed that it was her first visit to Manipur but she is convinced that the food items made from fishes that she brought from Thailand would be liked by the people of Manipur.

Kritika said that she wants the people of Manipur to get the taste of Thai foods.

Earlier, inaugurating the festival as chief guest, Tourism Minister TN Haokip said that the different food items found in Manipur need to be promoted as well as marketed outside Manipur.

The Minister observed that Manipur has many food items which are more delicious than what is found anywhere in the world.

One such food items is Manipuri Ngari and the Ooti of Manipur could not be replicated by any outsiders.

Moreover, the Singju and Kangsoi of Manipur are one of the most nutritious foods.

Export of food items from Manipur would help in improving the economy of the State, the Minister added.

Director of Art and Culture K Sobita, who was the guest of honour of the inaugural function of the festival, said that it is for the 5th time that the food festival has been organised successfully under the initiative of Innovative Youth Society.

She also appealed to the people for support to the Society in carrying forward its mission of popularising the indigenous food items of Manipur.

Commissioner of Tourism KK Chhetry presided over the function.

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