Students on tour land at Sarita's academy
Source: The Sangai Express / PIB

Imphal, March 01 2023: On day two of the week-long exposure tour to Manipur, students from Nagpur of Maharashtra on Tuesday visited various tourist spots in and around the capital city besides paying a visit to Sarita Regional Boxing Academy at Mayang Imphal, Imphal West.

It may be noted that a delegation of 50 students with three faculties and four student volunteers from Nagpur had arrived in Imphal on Monday on a week-long exposure tour to Manipur as part of a pilot initiative 'Yuva Sangam 2023' under "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" (EBSB) launched by Government of India.

Yesterday, the delegation first paid a visit to the Sarita Regional Boxing Academy where they were accorded a warm welcome.

While talking to the visiting delegation, the former world boxing champion highlighted the struggles, sweat and tears she shed in order to achieve the title of one of the most renowned women boxers in the world.

Explaining the reason behind establishing the boxing academy, Sarita told the delegates that it was to mold and guide the future generation as well as to find untapped talents among the youths who will one day bring glory to India in the field of sports.

She exhorted the visiting students saying that "Youths should dedicate more for the country" .

The renowned woman boxer also expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the EBSB program.

Following this, the delegation visited the historic Kangla Fort where they saw various sacred places such as Sanamahi Temple and the museum inside the fort.

The team then walked to Saheed Minar, Mapal Kangjeibung (world's oldest pologround) and proceeded to Ima Keithel, the iconic all-women-run market.

At Ima Keithel, they experienced the shopping market run only by women and bought various souvenirs.

The delegation further visited Olympian Park at Sangaithel in Imphal West district where they saw the statues of all 19 Olympians of Manipur including Mary Kom and Laishram Devendro Singh among others.

In the evening, the EBSB delegates visited the Marjing Polo Statue, a colossal classical equestrian statue of a polo player, riding a Meitei horse (Manipuri pony), constructed at the Marjing Polo Complex, the sacred sports site dedicated to God Marjing.

According to a statement, today, which marks their third day, the delegates were hosted by M Asnikumar Singh, Chairman Loktak Development Authority.

The full day programme of the visiting delegates and faculty members include: a detailed observational tour of the Keibul Lamjao National Park where they got to witness the State animal Sangai; breakfast and sight-seeing at Sendra hilltop hosted by 9 Assam Rifles followed by a short interaction on Nationalism; boating at Loktak Lake and a visit to Karang Island by boat from Sendra; guided tour of the iconic INA HQ and museum; a tour of the Imphal Peace Museum and a traditional lunch of Manipuri cuisine hosted by LDA at floating Jetty in front of Lake Loktak lake.

The delegates expressed heartfelt appreciation towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh for the opportunity to experience and immerse themselves in the culture of Manipur.

They also thanked the LDA Chairman, LDA staff and 9 Assam Rifles for their hospitality and support during their tour.

Notably, the Maharashtra team arrived here to reciprocate the recent visit of Manipuri students to their State.

The Government of India had conceptualized this initiative to strengthen people-to-people connection and build empathy between youth of the North-Eastern States and other States of the country.

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