17th edition of Orange Festival begins
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Tamenglong, December 17 2022: The 17th Edition of State Level Orange Festival began at Lower ground, Tamenglong district headquarters under the theme 'Tamenglong Orange Overcome Boundaries' on Saturday.

The festival will continue till December 19 .

The opening function of the festival was attended by animal husbandry & veterinary minister Khashim Vashum as chief guest and water resources minister Awangbow Newmai as functional president, while Moirang MLA Th Shanti and Karong MLA Kumo Sha were present as guests of honour and Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei as chief host.

Addressihg the gathering, minister Khashim praised the district administrations of Tamenglong and Noney for organising the Orange Festival in a grand manner.

"Let this festival be also a source of income for the people of Tamenglong and the orange farmers, he said and conveyed gratitude to chief minister N Biren for recognising festivals of hill district and upgrading them to state level events.

He also suggested that from the next year, celebration of Orange Festival cover some orange farms where one can promote the oranges of Tamenglong directly at the source.

The minister further urged the artistes of Manipur to always promote the festival as they have large number of followers.

On the other hand, minister Awangbow Newmai stated that under the leadership of CM N Biren, the 17th edition of Orange Festival has been declared as a state level festival.

He also mentioned that grievances of all the orange farmers will be heard and resolved in the days to come.

Meanwhile, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the orange farmers, Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei maintained that it is because of the orange farmers they are able to celebrate this festival and Tamenglong's name is now known by the whole wide world.

"We, as people of Tamenglong, should welcome with open heart all the people who come to witness this festival," he said.

It can be mentioned that, the district administration has selected as many as 270 orange growers to participate in the 'Rest Orange' competition.

The oranges will be screened by the experts from CAU and ICAR and will be tested under five categories namely sweetness, uniformity, size, colour and quality.

The cash prize for the winner of Best Orange Contest is Rs 2,00,000; Rs 1,50,000 for the second position and Rs 1,00,000 for the third position.

Other highlights of the festival include Orange Queen Contest, camping and adventure activities at different tourist spots, motor rally, musical night, Tamenglong Got Talent, seminar for orange growers, etc.

On the first day, film actress of Biju Ningombam enthralled the crowd by presenting popu lar songs and also requested the people of Tamenglong to promote the unique taste of oranges and the beautiful God given natural gift of Tamenglong.

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