State gears up for most spectacular Sangai festival
Cultural evenings, light and sound show, concerts, hot air balloons, food stalls and many more lined up
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 10 2017: The Directorate of Tourism, Government of Manipur is all set to unroll the 8th and the biggest edition of the Manipur Sangai Festival ever held since its inception in 2010 .

As usual, the festival would be held from November 21 to 30 at Hapta Kangjeibung, Mapal Kang-jeibung, Lamboi Khong-nangkhong, Khuman Lam-pak Sports Complex, Sen-dra, Takmu Water Sports Complex and Keibul Lamjao.

Speaking to media about the annual State sponsored festival at the Old Secretariat conference hall today, Manipur Tourism Corporation Chairman Dr Sapam Ranjan said that over 50,000 people including National leaders, policy makers, industry experts, business delegates and exhibitors from over 20 countries like Bhutan, Cambodia, Egypt, Haiti, Japan, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE and Zimbabwe etc are expected to attend this year's Manipur Sangai Festival .

President of India Ram Nath Kovind would inaugurate the Manipur Sangai Festival this year at the main venue, Hapta Kangjeibung on November 21.The venue will feature an array of cultural dance and song performances such as Kuki dance, Leisem Jagoi, Maram dance, Mao dance, Thougal Jagoi, Phousa Jagoi, Zou dance, Moirang Parva, Tangkhul folk music, Khulang Eshei, Wari Phaibok, Khongjom Parva, Kabui Folk song, Kawali, Moirang Sai, Pena, Mani-puri folk song, traditional song of Andro and other programmes like Meitei Wari, Dhol-Dhulok Cholom and Thang Ta Chainaba besides fun activities for children throughout the festival.

Besides, photography exhibition, MTF World War II exhibition, flower show, theme parks, food stalls and other entertainment programmes like 'Meet the Stars' and 'Sangai Open Mic' will also form part of the showcase at Hapta Kangjeibung.

In addition, there will be regular cultural performances by artistes from the different tribes of the State and other States of India as well as international artistes and cultural troupes throughout the festival at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre at Hapta Kangjeibung.

Speaking about Manipur Tourism's expectations from the Manipur Sangai Festival, Dr.Sapam Ranjan said, "Our goal for 2017 is to double the number of attendees that we witnessed last year.

We were quite pleased with last year's footfalls of over 40,000 people per day, specially considering the scale of the festival as compared to the upcoming edition of 2017 .

"In this edition of the Manipur Sangai Festival, we have been able to expand our marketing and publicity campaign for the festival in different cities all over India.

Manipur Tourism has been reaching out to potential travellers to the State through multiple platforms which include print and digital, social media, radio, television, billboards and other on-site publicity activities engaging airports and metro trains etc.," he ad4ed.A half marathon event in three categories- Sangai Run (Distance-21 kms; Route: Sendra-Thanga-Keibul Lamjao-Moirang-Sendra), Loktak Run (Distance-7.5 kms; Route: From Sendra-Young Ideal Club Cum Library Ground) and School Run (Distance-3.5 kms; Route: Sendra-Thanga Wangma) will be parts of a curtain raiser event to be held at Hapta Kangjeibung November 21 .

The Loktak Run will culminate at the Young Ideal Club Cum Library Ground near the Keibul Lamjao National Park gate where Chief Minister N Biren Singh will grace the curtain raiser event as the chief guest.

The event is expected to draw attendance of over 1,000 invitees and marathon runners from Manipur and other States of India as well as international runners.

In its effort to showcase the immense tourism potential of Loktak Lake and its adjoining areas, the Government of Manipur will hold a cultural event with a theme centred around the culture of Loktak Lake, modem polo and the endangered brow-antlered deer on the evenings of November of November 22 and 23 at the Takmu Water Sports Complex.

The event organised by Manipur Tourism in co-ordination with several line departments, as part of the Manipur Sangai Festival will highlight the significance of Loktak Lake for the State's economy and also the unique characteristics of the lake.

The two-day cultural event will showcase the State's rich and diverse socio-cultural traditions through a combination of dance and entertainment performances, Dr Ranjan said.

The event is expected to be a first of its kind in Manipur with 3D laser projectors lighting up the sky and forming several patterns that will represent Manipur's distinct and unique culture and traditions.

The venue at Takmu Water Sports Complex will also host several water activities like water skiing, sailboard, wind surfing and local boat races etc from November 22 to 25 .

Manipur is also going to host the North East Development Summit for the first time during the Manipur Sangai Festival this year.

The aim of the summit is to develop the North East Region with special focus on the.

State of Manipur by inviting investors and other stakeholders from across India and other countries to explore business opportunities in Manipur.

The summit will be inaugurated by President of India Ram Nath Kovind on November 21 .

The venue at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal East District will host several indigenous sports events such as Mukna Kangjei, Yubi Lakpi, Mukna, Cheibi, Thang Ta, Kang and other sports like Sepak Takraw and Muay Thai.

Other fun activities like horse riding for children (Archery Field), tethered hot air ballooning (3 balloons at the main stadium), raft boating, water zorbing, spider net, Burma bridge, boulder climbing, land zorbing, ATV bike and bungee trampoline etc will also be conducted at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

Tethered hot air ballooning will also be an attraction at the venue at Lamboi Khongnangkhong.

The venue will host the biggest number of commercial stalls from both within and outside the country at the festival.

Apart from these venues, the Mapal Kangjeibung (Polo Ground) at the heart of the city will also be the main attraction with polo matches between teams from Manipur representing India and other countries.

A boat race (Hiyang Tanaba) will also be conducted on November 26 at the South-Western part of the Kangla Moat where teams of boat racers will be dressed in their indigenous attires, Dr S Ranjan elaborated.

Keeping in view the large number of traffic movements expected during the upcoming festival, the State Police Department has charted out routes that will help ease the flow of traffic during the festival.

The department will also ensure safety of the visitors through 24/7 helpline numbers for the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur.

The helpline numbers are SP, Imphal East 9436033471, SSP, Imphal West 9436279997, SP Bishnupur 9862067893, Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Khuman Lampak, Control Room-0385-2450214, Hapta Kangjeibung, Control Room- 0385-2452669 and Bishnupur Control Room- 03879-222339 .

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