CM Biren commits to uniform development
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Senapati, December 14 2022: Cultural Session of the ongoing 3rd State Level Barak Festival was inaugurated by chief minister N Biren Singh as chief guest on Wednesday.

The event was also attended by Khasim Vashum, minister Animal Husbandry/Veterinary & Transport as functional president; Th Basanta Singh, minister Education, Law & Legislative Affairs; and L Dikho, MLA 48-Mao AC, as guests of honour; and MLA Haokholet Kipgen and MLA Ram Muivah as special guests.

Addressing the gathering, chief minister Biren expressed his desire to turn his vision into reality regarding people's perception of politicians as thieves and liars or untrustworthy, the practices which he is totally against.

According to him, a politician or social leader should fulfil what he or she has promised to the people.

The chief minister noted that the festival shows the importance of Barak river, nature, forest and water that has made the organisers to hold the festival in coordination with different civil organisation leaders of Senapati.

Further stressing the importance of the Barak River, Biren cautioned that the day the river dries up, people cannot survive.

Giving his commitment for bringing equal development in the state, he said if we have the determination, sincerity and commitment, there is nothing that we cannot achieve or deliver with the support and cooperation of the public.

Regarding relocation of the festival venue to the Barak River side, the Chief Minister said the decision was taken after considering that there is no need of organising a festival if we are unable to deliver its benefit to the public.

He said the decision was taken after a thorough discussion with all stakeholders and after understanding the need to educate the youth about the importance of Barak River, its surrounding forest, nature and water.

Biren further highlighted that the motto of the festival "Save Mother Earth" also echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's belief of "Earth is One".

Further appreciating and lauding the organisers of the festival and those who coined the motto, the Chief Minister also stressed on the need to promote such important festivals like the Barak Festival.

He said the government cannot work without the support and blessing of the public, and further expressed the need to cooperate and support one another.

There are around 34-35 communities in the state and it is the duty and responsibility of the Chief Minister to share their needs and grievances, Biren added.

He also spoke on the importance of conserving and preserving one's culture.

Further lauding the discipline of the communities of the state, the chief minister said today we are moving forward in development.

Biren also spoke of different developmental projects in the district and highlighted the opening of an Open gym at Senapati headquarters, ongoing laying of football turf, etc.

He also said that assessment of the incomplete stadium at the venue is underway and it will be completed at the earliest.

Biren also rejoiced on seeing the greenery surrounding Khabung Karong, near Barak river, where the festival is being held after shifting it from Senapati bazaar.

He also lauded the participants for their dazzling cultural items being showcased during the event while appealing to all to save the mother earth by preserving the forest and rivers.

The chief minister also expressed his deepest condolences on the untimely demise of chief of Khabung Karong village.

MLA Losii Dikho in his speech stressed the importance to promote, preserve and save the Barak river which is the life giver to people of the district as well as the state.

The MLA lauded the chief minister for his contribution, dedication and his vision for the state, adding that normalcy has returned through the leadership of Biren Singh as Manipur has now become one of the most peaceful states in the Northeast region.

Barak Festival is not just for fun but a celebration to create awareness to the people to protect and conserve nature as the Barak river is the life giver of the region, he continued.

In the meantime, Losii Dikho asked the chief minister to set up Barak River Development Board and to sanction external sewerage project in Senapati so that the district becomes the first hill district to introduce such a project.

Peter Yonuo, president Senapati District Students' Association, while calling N Biren the people's chief minister informed that the festival is celebrated to showcase the rich culture heritage of the region and to preserve it.

Different cultural programmes were presented by Mao, Maram, Zeliangrong, Thangal, Nepali and Thadou-Kuki cultural troupes.

The evening session continued with the Miss Barak contest and DJ Night.

Barak River originates from the hills of Liyai Village, Senapati District, Manipur and flows along Manipur-Nagaland border before entering Assam and Bangladesh.

Altogether 90 different stalls were set up during the festival including government departments like Fisheries Department, Autonomous District Council, Senapati, District Legal Services Authority, Senapati, Sub-divisional stalls, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, PHED, Senapati among others.

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