State Level Pineapple Fair-cum-Youth Fest 2014 begins
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 29 2014: The 7th edition of State Level Pineapple Fair-cum-Youth Festival 2014 kick-started at Thambalnu Market Complex in Poiroupat Lamkhai in Imphal East on Sunday.

The 5-day long annual fair organized by the Development Organisation Andro Kendra (DOAK) was opened by Govindas Konthoujam, Minister of Commerce & Industries as chief guest during an impressive function.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Govindas called upon the youth of the State to be aware about the fact that they will have to play a bigger role in bringing about development in the State.

He further said the youth need to toil themselves hard to ensure growth for the State which would be turning into a new phase in few years under the influence of India's Look East Policy.

State Level Pineapple Fair-cum-Youth Fest 2014 begins

The Minister pointed out that the Asian Highway Numbers 1 and 2 will connect Manipur soon, so strengthening the economy of the State is an inescapable task.

From October onwards, the bus service between Imphal (India) and Mandalay (Myanmar) will begin.

Once the bus service is flagged off, Manipur will be the nearest city from India to other South East Asian cities.

This will give a tremendous boost to the economy of the country especially Manipur.

Moreover, trains will touch the state capital Imphal within few years and in the event of these multi-connections of Imphal with the outside world, the people of the state can take maximum advantage of the development, the Minister observed.

He observed that United States is strong nation today because of its powerful economy and Manipur has to be made powerful in line with others.

"I can see that the DOAK has a will in organizing the pineapple fair with an aim to promote work culture among the people," he said.

He informed that a seminar on the role of the State Government on Look east Policy will be held soon under the guidance of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Many experts working in various fields would be invited to take part in the seminar, he said.

"I thank the organizer for planning to exhibit over 5,440 quintals of pineapple in this year's edition of the festival.

I assure that the next State budget will allocate fund for the farmers," the Minister assured.

In his presidential address, Th Shyamkumar, MLA of Andro constituency, informed the gathering that DOAK has ordered a machine to make pineapple powder which will cost Rs 15 lakhs and setting up of a Rs 20 crore piggery production unit in Andro constituency is underway.

Kh Ratankumar, Mission Director, Horticulture & Soil Conservation and Th Rabita Devi, social worker, were also present during the inaugural function of the festival organised under the sponsorship of of Horticulture Mission of North East Himalaya.

The festival will continue till July 3 .