No shortage of fish this Ningol Chakkouba Festival, says Sarat
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, November 04 2013: A total of 65,000 kg of different varieties of fish was displayed at the fish fair for the Ningol Chakkouba which will be celebrated by the Meitei community on Tuesday.

The fish varieties, including both indigenous and imported ones are on display and up for sale at the fair which began today at Hapta Kangjeibung here and will go on till November 5 .

Ningol Chakkouba is one of the most important festivals of the Meitei community where married women are invited by their brothers and parents for feasting with fish as the main menu.

Meanwhile, the state has seen an increase in display of 12,000 kg fish more compared to last year's display of 53,000 kg, said Director of Fishery Department, K.Sarat Kumar while speaking to the media regarding the fish fair being organized by the department.

A total of 6 -7 varieties of fish will be seen at the fair.

"About 75,000 kg fish is demanded for the Ningol Chakkouba festival, but only 65,000 kg has been produced by the Fisheries Department.

The remaining shortfall of fish can be produced by the market.

So, there will be no shortage of fish in the festival this year", he added.

'No shortage of fish this Ningol Chakkouba Festival'

As a part of the celebration of the sale of fishes, prizes will be awarded to fishermen who produce the maximum number of fishes.

The competition organized by the Fisheries Department, Manipur will give away cash prizes of Rs 50,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively to the first, second and third largest producer of fish.

A different award of Rs 20,000 will be awarded to fishermen who produce the largest number of indigenous fish like Pengba.

So far the fair has a total of 80 stalls, but the number may increase with one day to go.

The fishes will be available at a reduced price compared to the market with a difference in amount of Rs 30-50 .

IFCD Minister I Hemochandra, Agriculture and Fishery Minister Md.Abdul Nasir and Fishery Commissioner Y.Yogendro attended the inaugural function as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Minister I.Hemochandra said that fish is a very common kind of food which is much related to our society as well as other groups.

He urged the people to increase the production of fish in the state as people's demands for fish increase and stated that the annual expense of money to buy fish by the people of the state is more than rupees two crore.