10 day Sangai Festival kicks off amid razzmatazz
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 21 2014 : The annual Manipur Sangai Festival kicked off today at Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound and at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre amid much hype.

The ten day festival is being organised by the State Tourism Department.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and Chief Minister of Chin State of Myanmar Hong Ngai attended the opening ceremony of the ten day festival as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

The Chief Minister along with his counterpart from Chin State released balloons to mark the opening of the festival and later both inspected the stalls.

Addressing the gathering Hong Ngai, the Chief Minister of Chin State expressed great pleasure in attending the Sangai Festival.

He added that the festival will go a long way in bringing the two countries closer.

The Chin CM said that he is leading a 50 member goodwill team from Myanmar and added that apart from participating in the festival he will engage with the Government to promote good ties between the two countries.

Chief Ministers of Manipur O Ibobi and Chin State at the Sangai Festival venue

Recalling that the CM of Sagaing attended the last edition of the Sangai Festival, Hong Ngai said that geographically the North East region is close to Myanmar.

"We share a common border with the North East States," he added.

Elaborating, the CM of Chin State said that Myanmar shares 522 kms with Arunachal Pradesh, 250 kms with Nagaland, 398 kms with Manipur and 510 kms with Mizoram.

The two countries have been trading with each other since 1948, he said and added that from 1995 trade through Tamu in Myanmar and Moreh in India started officially.

A number of items too have been listed for the border trade, he said and added that from 2015 the items for trade are likely to be enhanced to 62 .

Chief Minister O Ibobi who also addressed the opening ceremony said that it is the duty of everyone to hardsell Manipur to tourists globally.

However the first priority is to promote peace in the State, he added.

Stating that efforts are on to present Manipur on the global stage, the Chief Minister said that the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association is set to host the 8th Manipur International Polo Tournament.

Moreover the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union is also organising a National Conference.

To attract tourists, the State Government has given priority to upgrading all the tourist spots in the State, added the Chief Minister.

Since the Government of India has adopted the Look East Policy, it is only right that no efforts are spared for Manipur to take the maximum benefits since it is the gateway to South East Asia, added Ibobi.

The Chief Minister also called upon all to ensure that a good impression is created on all the domestic and foreign tourists so that Manipur features in the tourist map of everyone.

A number of delegates from Chin State of Myanmar including Ministers Dr Ba Maung, Kyaw Nyein, Kyint Puang, Consul General of Republic of Union of Myanmar Than Htwe, Speaker of the State Assembly Th Lokeshore, Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism M Prithiviraj, member of North Eastern Council MP Bezbaruah and Principal Secretary of Tourism Department Dr Rajesh Kumar attended the opening ceremony as guests of honour.

A choreography titled, 'Manipur-A Tourist Destination Through Culture' was later staged as part of the opening ceremony.

As part of the festival, steps are on to organise adventure and eco-tourism activities, indigenous games, 8th Manipur International Polo Tournament etc.

A cultural show will be held daily in the evening at BOAT.

An attraction at Hapta Kangjeibung will be the indigenous food stalls.