Curtains drawn on Sangai Festival
Medium to bring development: Modi in virtual address
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 30 2022: The Manipur Sangai Festival has become a medium to bring development in the State and strengthen it, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

The main closing ceremony was held at Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre.

Addressing the people virtually on the closing day of the 10-day Manipur Sangai Festival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was happy that the festival this year was celebrated with great zeal in a grand manner after a gap of two years due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival has been a success due to the lively spirit of the people of Manipur, said the Prime Minister and congratulated Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the Government for organising the festival in the grandest manner.

Prime Minister Modi said, Manipur is a State endowed with natural beauty, rich tradition and culture.

Manipur is like a necklace with different gems put together, and it reflects a mini India.

This is the reason why everybody wants to visit Manipur, he said.

"In this age of Amrit Kaal, Manipur with the idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is marching forward.

The Manipur Sangai Festival celebrated under the theme Festival of Oneness has encouraged us," he said.

The Sangai deer is the State animal of Manipur and it has a special place in the hearts of the people of the State.

This is why this festival is the celebration of the culture, tradition, and way of life of the people, Modi said.

"Celebrating wildlife, nature and forests in our festivals would encourage the feeling of oneness and the idea that they are inseparable parts of us," Modi said.

Organising such festivals not only preserves culture and tradition, but also improves the economy.

The Manipur Sangai Festival has attracted many investors and industries.

This festival is a medium for bringing development in Manipur, he said.

The closing ceremony was attended by Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Chief Minister N Biren Singh as chief guest, special guest and chief host respectively.

Speaking at the event, Kiren Rijiju said he had visited the festival 3 years ago, however, this year's celebration was grander.

Manipur with its vibrant culture as well as its natural beauty is attractive.

It is a unique State which really shines in all spheres, he said.

He also acknowledged the sporting potential of Manipur and said sportspersons from the State have been winning medals for the country and displaying their skills and talents across the globe.

The culture, especially the art form of Manipuri dances and beautiful folk dances of the hills of Manipur are mesmerizing, he said.

Rijiju also stressed on the importance of rural tourism and said the concept of rural tourism is extremely important because it also takes along the culture, tradition as well as lifestyle.

"We must not lose our culture and tradition, because these are our identities.

We need not copy western culture.

We may learn about western culture, but we shouldn't lose our inherent character.

This is vital," he said.

With railways coming and coupled with other connectivity, in next five to ten years time, Manipur will be flooded with tourists enhancing the tourism prospects, he added.

Lauding CM N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Perna Khandu said the festival was truly a celebration of oneness, as it has been inclusive.

At the closing event, Chief Minister N Biren Singh informed that Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, who was in the State for the opening of the festival, had assured Rs 100 crore for development of various tourist spots including the Sangai Ethnic Park.

Highlighting various events and programmes conducted during the 10-day long festival including MMA event, indigenous wrestling, Sagol Kangjei, international polo, cultural shows, among others, the Chief Minister said the festival was conducted at 14 venues across the State.

He said the festival under the theme 'Festival of Oneness' aimed at spreading the message of unity and oneness in the State and the country.

He expressed gratitude to all involved in organizing the festival and appreciated the support of all.

Speaking on certain initiatives taken up during the festival like the Tourist Police, he said it will be made a permanent force of police on ponies.

N Biren Singh said the festival this year was visited by Consul General US (Kolkata), Consul General France (Kolkata), US Consulate General, Ambassadors of Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia and High Commissioner of Brunei and others.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan brought along a cultural troupe strengthening the spirit of "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat", he said.

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