Curtain raiser to Manipur Sangai Festival-2022 held
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 15 2022:
The curtain raiser event for the Manipur Sangai Festival-2022, formally commencing from November 21, was held on Tuesday at the western gate, of Kangla and Mao gate bordering Nagaland in Senapati district.
Chief minister N Biren, who attended the event at the western gate of Kangla, declared Manipuri film actress Soma Laishram as ambassador of Manipur Sangai Festival-2022.The chief minister along with the other dignitaries also released the Manipur Sangai Festival-2022 theme song sung by folk artiste Mangka Mayanglambam and balloons to mark the opening of the curtain raiser event.
Rhythms of Manipur also presented their Dancing Drummer at the event.
Other highlights included Pung Cholom, blowing of conch and Pena invocation.
Addressing gathering, CM Biren said that Manipur Sangai Festival-2022 to be organised under the theme 'Festival of Oneness' will be held at 13 venues across the state including Mao gate to make it a state level event rather than confining the festival to Imphal city like in the past.
Further stating that the main venue for the festival will be at Sangai Ethnic Park, Moirang Khunou in Bishnupur, the chief minister said that the public may now visit the park where permanent structures are being built so that the festival could be organised there every year.
He thanked and appreciated the people and MLAs of Thanga and Moirang assembly constituencies for their cooperation and support in all the construction works while maintaining that not a single paisa as compensation was sought by the public during the whole construction process including road widening process.
Later, CM N Biren flagged off the Sangai Run which concluded at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium after passing through Lamlong Bazar, Kongba Bazar, Pishumthong and Keishampat.
The chief minister also launched the online lottery for distribution of Sangai Festival stalls as a part of the curtain raiser event held in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, ministers and MLAs.
Boxer Laishram Sarita, actors Gurumayum Bonny, RK Somorendro (Kaiku), Hijam Bala and Ningombam Biju and designer Robert Naorem among others were also present at the event.
Later, the chief minister along with ministers, MLAs, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, DGP P Doungel and others inspected the ongoing works at Sangai Ethnic Park, Moirang Khunou.
Meanwhile, our Senapati correspondent reported that the curtain raiser event at Mao gate was attended by health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh as chief guest.
Apart from inaugurating the Esii-Dziiko Trekking Route at Dziiko Base camp, the minister also flagged off the Sangai Marathon Run from Martyrs Park NH-39 to Cherry Blossom Festival venue and unveiled a monolith of Raku Kokubu (Base Camp).
The event was also attended by CAF & PD minister L Susindro Meitei, Mao MLA L Dikho, Karong MLA J Kumo Sha, DC Senapati, SDOs and other DLOs.
Speaking at the event, Dr Ranjan expressed that Manipur can become a very popular tourist hotspot as the number of people visiting different places in the state is ever increasing.
He said that people need to spread the message of beauty of cherry blossom and this is the reason why CM Biren has planned to conduct the cherry blossom festival during Sangai Festival.
In his address, minister Susindro Meitei lauded Mao citizens for giving protection to the whole citizens of Manipur.
He also expressed happiness over inauguration of trekking route to Dziiko which the trekkers in earlier times had to use robe to climb the steep hill after travelling from Mao.
Had the state government intervened earlier, then the route to Dziiko valley could have developed by now, the minister regretted.
The minister also called upon Mao citizens, CSOs and different organisations to encourage learning Manipuri language and speaking in Mao area as jt belongs to Manipur.
Later, the ministerial team inspected sub-district hospital, Mao and district hospital.
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