Foreign dignitaries line up for Sangai Fest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 05 2015:
Dignitaries from Japan, Bangladesh and other countries and high ranking officials of the Central Government will attend the 10-day Manipur Sangai Festival to witness the rich cultural heritage and study the tourism potential of the State, said Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Secretary (Tourism) .
Addressing a press conference, she spelled out the programmes of the festival to be held from November 21 to 30 today.
Nidhi Mani said that they have invited Governor V Shanmuganathan to grace the opening function as the chief guest.
However, they are yet to receive a confirmation from the Governor's Secretariat regarding the matter, she added.
Secretary (Surface and Road Transport), Secretary (Tourism), Secretary (Sports) and Secretary (Commerce and Industries) of the Central Government have confirmed that they will attend the 10-day tourism
festival, she said.
As the Secretary (Commerce and Industries) of the Union Government will hold 11 conference with all the Chief Secretaries of North East States in Imphal during the festival, all the Chief Secretaries of NE States are also likely to take part in the festival, Nidhi Mani said.
A new addition and a major attraction of this year's edition of the festival is Asian Theatre Festival to be organised by NT Theatre at Chandrakirti auditorium.
Theatre groups from Japan, Bangladesh, Assam and Manipur's Chorus Repertory and NT Theatre would present their popular plays at the festival Nidhi Mani said.
On the other hand, artistes of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy would educate the visitors and revellers about wildlife and Sangai through their ballad, 'Keibul Lamjao' written by late Maharaj Kumari Binodini.
Saying that there would be some changes in the set-up of the festival venue, Nidhi Mani said that half of Hapta Kangjeibung would be occupied by the house models of different ethnic communities that would be adorned with handloom, handicraft and culture and traditional related items.
There would be a separate stall for World War antiques collected from different parts of the State, she said.
Nidhi Mani further said that artists would get an opportunity to show their skills and talents to the world during the festival as an exhibition of paintings and sculptures would be held.
She said that efforts are being made to present classical dance, traditional items and indigenous games at Hapta Kangjeibung during day time.
Nidhi Mani further said that the Government is planning to carry out a campaign known as Keep Imphal City Clean in association with Imphal Municipal Corporation.
She also said that there will be a media centre at the southern part of the festival venue.
Like in previous editions of the tourism festival, the Manipur Polo International would be held at Mapal Kangjeibung, she said and added that teams from Australia, USA, Thailand and UK would take part in the event.
Nidhi Mani further said that Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association is preparing a list of dignitaries to be invited to the polo tournament.
She said that Manipur Sangai Festival would serve as the best opportunity for the State to publicise to the world that polo originated from Manipur.
Informing that MMTA would organise various adventure activities like in the past years, the Secretary said that para-gliding, trekking and water sports etc would be conducted at different places for eight days.
Regarding cultural items presentation at BOAT, Nidhi Mani said that a culture subcommittee headed by Secretary (Art and Culture) is trying to finalize the programmes.
She said that cultural troupes of all the communities of the State would be invited to this year's festival.
Regarding international cultural troupes, Nidhi Mani said that a troupe from Thailand has sent their confirmation to the organisers.
Troupes of other countries are also being kept in touch for confirmation, she said.
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