Curtains pulled down on Manipur Sangai Festival
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 30 2017: The 10-day Manipur Sangai Festival 2017 wrapped up today with a glittering closing ceremony at BOAT, Hapta Kangjeibung .

Governor Dr Najma Heptulla who graced the closing ceremony as chief guest remarked that Manipur is a God given land with picturesque landscape interspersed with hills and lakes of sublime beauty .

If the Government and the people can tap the State's rich tourism potential, it would go a long way in boosting its economy .

Dr Najma who attended the opening ceremony dressed in Meitei traditional fineries graced this evening's closing ceremony dressed in Naga traditional attires .

Curtains pulled down on Manipur Sangai Festival

She said that Manipur is known to the world for its rich culture and traditions.

Hailing the State Government for organising the Manipur Sangai Festival from November 21 to 30 every year as a calendar event, the Governor stated that the festival would not only enliven the spirit of the people but would also give an impetus to the State's tourism sector .

Apart from fostering mutual love and trust among the different communities of Manipur, the festival has successfully showcased Manipur's exquisite handloom and handicraft products to all the visitors coming from different States of India and abroad .

Today, Manipur Sangai Festival has been recognised as a National event and many foreigners have started visiting the State to join the festival, she stated .

The State Government's special policies as well as the Government of India's Act East Policy have been paying due emphasis on development of tourism infrastructure in the State.

Yet, Manipur and its infrastructure are yet to attain the desired level and there are a lot of things which must be done urgently .

Expressing satisfaction over the signing of 39 MoUs between the State Government and different companies/firms on November 22, the second day of Manipur Sangai Festival 2017 and the concluding day of the North East Development Summit, Dr Najma exuded confidence that it was a very significant step and it would certainly open the State's door to many investors .

Over the years, the Manipur Sangai Festival has evolved into a successful platform for showcasing the rich cultural heritage and immense tourism potential of Manipur to the whole world .

The Governor also congratulated the Manipur Polo team for defeating formidable Argentina in the summit clash of the 11th Manipur Polo International 2017 as well as Saikhom Mirabai for winning gold in the World Weightlifting Championship held in the USA .

Chief Minister N Biren remarked that Mirabai has once again reaffirmed Manipur's status of being the country's powerhouse in sports .

The festival held at seven venues has successfully highlighted the rich cultures and traditions of the different communities of Manipur before the whole world .

Rejoicing that the festival went off without any untoward incident, the Chief Minister lauded the people of Manipur and all the law enforcing agencies .

The number of foreign tourists visiting Manipur has increased during the last four/five years and this is a testimony of their growing trust in the people of Manipur, Biren remarked .

As of now, Manipur Sangai Festival seems to be concentrated within the valley but from next year the festival would be held in hill areas too, and Cherry Blossom Festival would form a part of Manipur Sangai Festival, he stated .

Saying that his Government is still immature which is not fully knowledgeable, Biren claimed that the Government's relentless efforts have brought the hill people and plain people much closer .

Now the Government has set its focus on infrastructure development to bring uniform development across the State .

The most successful event of the 8th edition of Manipur Sangai Festival is the North East Development Summit which was opened by President Ram Nath Kovind where 39 MoUs were signed .

These MoUs are a clear indication of the willingness of companies/firms based outside the State to invest in Manipur, Biren remarked .

Today too, another MoU was signed between the State's Agriculture Department and a Mumbai based firm on food processing, Biren added .

Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad and Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar were also present at the closing ceremony .

Notably, large crowds thronged Hapta Kangjeibung and Lamboi Khongnangkhong as the festival wrapped up this evening.