Sanitised, black topped, decks cleared for Sangai Festival
State to witness first flight from abroad today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 20 2013: Even as the State Government has taken up all necessary steps to host Manipur Sangai Tourism Festival impressively, Imphal will redraw the world aviation map with the landing of a chartered Golden Myamnar Airlines flight at Tulihal International airport tomorrow.

Speaking to reporters, Commerce and Industries Principal Secretary O Nabakishore said that the State Government is ready to host the 10-day Manipur Sangai Festival, which will open from tomorrow, in a unique way.

Around 180 individuals including Chief Ministers of Sagaing and Mandalay regions of Myanmar, four Ministers and officials and people of Meitei community residing at Mandalay will land at Tulihal Airport in a Golden Myanmar Airlines flight.

A pavilion showcasing the myriad society of Manipur being readied for the Sangai festival

Saying that 128 passengers from Manipur would be flown by the same aircraft on its return flight to Mandalay, Nabakishore said that not many passengers could get the opportunity to be part of the historic journey due to time constraint.

He however expressed hope that more people would get the chance to travel to the neighbouring country once regular flights are introduced.

Saying that the State Government has taken up all necessary steps to avoid any goof-up, Nabakishore said that DGCA has given the permission for the chartered flight to land at Tulihal.

Moreover, Airport Authority of India and Air India have also decided not to charge any fee for landing and ground handling from the Myanmarese private airlines company.

The Myanmarese delegation would be received by a high level State Government team led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Industries Minister K Govindas and Works Minister Kh Ratankumar.

In order to maintain good relation with the neighbouring country and showcase the facilities available at the healthcare centres of Manipur, the State Government is also arranging visits to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, RIMS, JNIMS and Babina Diagnostics Centre for the Myanmarese delegates, he added.

Moreover, the delegates would also visit Manipur Legislative Assembly and Manipur High Court complexes, Nabakishore added.

Chief Ministers of Sagaing and Mandalay would grace the grand opening function of Manipur Sangai Festival as special guests, he said and added that the festival would be opened by Union DONER Minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar at Hapta Kangjeibung in the evening.

On November 22, Chief Minister O Ibobi would fly to Dribugarh with the Chief Ministers of Sagaing and Mandalay by a special helicopter to attend the North East Business Summit.

The remaining delegates will travel to the upper Assam city by a charter flight, he added.

Nabakishore further said that the Myanmar officials who would not take part in the business summit would attend the Manipur-Myanmar Business Conclave at Classic Hotel.

Saying that the third day of Manipur Sangai Festival has been named as Myanmar Day, Nabakishore said that different cultural items of Myanmar would be presented on the said day.

The day would also witness inauguration of Manipur Polo International and boat race of Hiyang Hiran, he added.

The festival will have 600 stalls including 15 stalls of Myamnar, 15 of Thailand and two of Bangladesh.

Out of the total 600 stalls, 300 are standard, 200 are premium and 100 are food stalls.

A six-member Chinese officials delegation and High Commissioners of Bangladesh and Mauritius would also attend the festival, Nabakishore said.