Curtains down on 2nd edition of Shifest ; Shirui Lily Fest has brought us closer: Biswajit
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, April 28 2018: The Shirui Lily Festival has brought the people closer and such a festival should help bridge the communication gap between the people, said Works Minister Th Biswajit.

Addressing the closing function of the second edition of Shirui Lily Festival at TNL ground, Wino Bazar today, the Works Minister urged the people of Manipur to collectively preserve and protect the natural beauty of the State.

Manipur-has rich flora and fauna besides some species (Shirui Lily, Sangai) etc found only in Manipur and which are well known across the globe gradually turning the State into a tourism hotspot destination, said the Minister.

Curtains down on 2nd edition of Shifest ; Shirui Lily Fest has brought us closer: Biswajit

He also stressed on the importance of preserving the natural resources endowed on the State.

Ukhrul is rich in Chromite and Limestone, said the Minister and urged the CSOs and villages of Ukhrul to support the Government In any endeavour to tap the potentials of these resources.

Judicious utilization of resources will help to develop the State and create employment opportunities for the youth.

The visiting Minister assured to repair the Eastern and Western circular road and get them blacktopped by next year, while electrification of all villages will be completed by December 2018.MLA Awangbow Newmai, who attended as the guest of honour said that development doesn't necessarily mean only infrastructure development but building relationships to bring peace.

Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh who presided the valedictory function urged the visitors to spread the good message of Shirui Lily Festival in order to promote tourism.

He said Ukhrul and its surrounding areas have immense tourism potential, natural beauty, landscape and conducive climatic condition.

In order to promote tourism, the State Government has identified houses which can be utilised for home stays and they can be maintained through the year, he added.

MLA Khashim Vashum who is the Chairman of district level sub-committee for Shirui Lily Festival expressed gratitude to the Government for making the Shirui Lily Festival a grand success and for upgrading it to a State level festival.

The festival has also become more attractive, drawing even more tourists in only its second edition, he added.

Success of Shirui Lily Festival is due to the concerted efforts and contribution of all citizens of the State.

Traditional dances from Sorabung village, Sangrila umbrella dance staged by Tripuris, Pung Cholom with conch by artistes of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Longmei Folk Dance and Yangdala Cultural Troupe from Nagaland added colour to the closing function.

MLA Leishiyo Keishing, Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur N Kotiswar, titular King Leisemba Sanajaoba, Ukhrul Autonomous District Council (UADC) Chairman Dickson Kumrah, Chairman ADC Tamenglong, councillors, DC Ukhrul, SP and other Government officers of the State attended the closing function.