Manipur like an elegant garland signifying mini India: PM Modi
Manipur is a potential state with its own unique culture and features: Kiren Rijiju
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 30 2022: While calling Manipur Sangai Festival as the grandest festival in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the festival highlights the spirit and passion of the people and also promotes the state as a world-class tourism destination.

PM Modi eulogised Manipur while addressing the closing ceremony of the 10-day Manipur Sangai Festival via a video message.

Remarking on Manipur's abundant natural beauty, cultural richness and diversity, the Prime Minister said everyone wants to visit the state at least once and drew an analogy to a beautiful garland that is made up of different gems.

He further added that Manipur is exactly like an elegant garland where one can witness a mini India in the state.

Shedding light on the theme of the festival, 'Festival of Oneness', Modi remarked that the successful organisation of the festival will act as a source of energy and inspiration for the nation in the days to come.

"Sangai is not only the state animal of Manipur but also has a special place in India's faith and beliefs.

The Sangai Festival also celebrates the biodiversity of India," he said.

PM Modi said the festival inspires indispensable social sensitivity towards a sustainable lifestyle.

"When we make nature, animals and plants a part of our festivals and celebrations, then co-existence becomes a natural part of our life," he said.

Expressing delight that Sangai Festival is being organised not just in the state capital but in the entire state, thereby giving an extension to the spirit of the 'Festival of Oneness', he pointed out that different moods and colours of the festival could be seen at around 13 locations from the Nagaland border to the Myanmar border.

He then lauded the initiative and said, "When we connect such events with more and more people, only then its full potential comes to the fore".

PM Modi also acknowledged that the festival is being organised after a gap of two years owing to the Corona pandemic and expressed delight at the grand scale of arrangements.

He also applauded the efforts and comprehensive vision of Manipur government and chief minister N Biren Singh for organising the festival.

Concluding the address, he touched upon the centuries-old tradition of festivals and fairs in our country and pointed out that it not only enriches our culture but also boosts the local economy.

He added that events like the Sangai Festival are a major attraction for investors and industries as well.

"I have full faith that in the future, this festival will become a powerful medium of gaiety and development in the state", the Prime Minister observed.

Meanwhile, speaking as chief guest on the occasion, union minister of law and justice Kiren Rijiju acknowledged that the diverse culture and natural beauty of Manipur is popular in the world.

He expressed belief that the state will definitely become a major tourist attraction in the next 5 to 10 years.

Manipur is a potential state with its own unique culture and features.

Youth of the state are talented in many fields.

They have been bringing laurels for the country in sports.

These huge potentials of the state in diverse fields could be utilised for creating employment opportunities for the youth, he said, while adding that the government alone cannot fulfil the growing demand for jobs.

Rijiju also stressed on the importance of rural tourism and said the concept of rural tourism is extremely important because rural tourism also take along our culture, our tradition as well as our traditional life style.

We can have homestay at beautiful local type small houses where small families can come and stay, he added.

"Many people want to enjoy the life in a manner in which it has its form of originality.

We must not lose our original and traditional style because that is our identity.

We may learn western culture and many things from western world but at the same time the inherent character of ourself is most vital," he elaborated.

"I can see the tremendous progress of Manipur when you have this world class railways connectivity, air connectivity road facilities everything in next five to ten years' time.

I can definitely say that Manipur will be flooded with tourist".

Sharing his experience from the past editions of Sangai Festival, the minister said that the festival, this year, is seeing a major change with events held at different locations and participation of all communities.

In terms of capacity and standard, this year's edition of the festival is much larger, more significant and diverse when compared with earlier editions.

Footfall of over 5 lakh visitors is the testimony of the popularity of the festival.

It is fortunate for him to get the opportunity to attend the festival, he said, while conveying his wishes that the festival may usher in peace, development, unity and prosperity in the state.

In his address as chief host, chief minister N Biren said that Manipur Sangai festival is not a leisure festival but to bring unity among the different communities of the state as well as to accelerate development in the state's tourism sector.

The decision to host the festival at 13 different locations is to promote oneness among the communities and to boost tourism across the state, he said while calling the footfall of over 5 lakh visitors as a grand success for the festival.

The CM also spoke about new initiatives like 300-strong tourist police, which was set up as part of the festival, and informed that it will be converted into a permanent unit of the state police.

Besides, the government has set up horse mounted police and the ethnic park at Moirang Khunou will be developed into a permanent site, he added.

Biren also reminded the gathering that Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, who was in the state for the opening of the festival, assured Rs 100 crore for development of tourist spots in the state including the Sangai Ethnic Park.

Highlighting the various events and programmes conducted during the festival including MMA event, indigenous wrestling, Sagol Kangjei, international polo and cultural shows among others, the chief minister said that the festival, celebrated on the theme 'Festival of Oneness' and appreciated by the Prime Minister, will help spread the message of unity and oneness in the state and the country.

Further expressing gratitude to all those involved in organising the festival including ministers, MLAs, officials, public, the CM said we are able to hold the 10-day festival smoothly and successfully without any glitch due to the sincerity, hard-work, dedication and support of all.

He also commended the MLAs and public of Moirang and Thanga for their support and cooperation that helped in completing the Moirang Ethnic Park within short notice.

CM Biren also recounted the high profile visits from Consul General US (Kolkata), Consul General France (Kolkata), US Consulate General, Ambassadors of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and High Commissioner of Brunei and others during the festival.

He mentioned that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minis ter Shivraj Singh Chouhan brought along a cultural troupe strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, who also attended the valedictory function of the festival, lauded the efforts of the CM N Biren for bringing positive and colourful changes to the Sangai festival.

He noted that the initiative of celebrating the Festival across the state with flavours of neighbouring states as well as the cultural taste from the South East Asian countries has truly defined the tagline of the Festival as 'Festival of Oneness'.

The event was attended by Chief Justice and Justices of Manipur High Court, ministers, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar and DGP P Doungel, among others.

A cultural choreography and a fashion show enthralled the audience at the packed Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre.

Comment