Manipur Sangai Festival set for upgradation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 08 2011: Even though disruption caused to vehicular movement on the National Highways as a consequence of the ongoing economic blockade is likely to take the sheen off the forthcoming Manipur Sangai Festival, the State's Tourism Department is determined the take the event to a higher stature in the future.

Speaking to The sangai Express, an official preferring anonymity confided that hectic efforts are on to upgrade the annual festival to an international event.

Even though details are yet to be worked out for the future events, it is informed that elevating the festival to a higher level will be a major boost in promoting tourism potential of Manipur.

Blessed with natural scenic spots and myriad of indigenous games, Manipur has all the ingredients to attract both domestic and international tourists, opined the official.

On the upcoming festival, the official conceded that the ongoing economic blockade will be an impediment in the participation of traders from other parts of India as well as international performers/artistes.

A brochure for the Sangai Festival

Disclosing that equipment for foreign performers are currently stranded along the highways, the official however affirmed that out of a number of invitation sent to South East Asian countries, a 25-member cultural troupe from Thailand and another group from neighbouring Myanmar have confirmed participation in the Nov 21-30 extravaganza.

While Hapta kangjeibung of Palace Compound would be the hub of the festival, cultural shows would be staged at the nearby BOAT, said the official adding that there would be 300 standard stalls, 50 premium stalls and 80 food stalls.

Ahead of the festival here, an international level fair is being planned at New Delhi as a promotional event.

Ruing that impact of economic blockade is likely to trim number of both national and international participation, the official recounted that last year both equipment and international performers arrived in the State well ahead of schedule.

With surface transport remaining as the only means for bulk shipment of items into the State the festival will certainly lose some of its sheen in case the blockade do not end in the immediate future.

For the local revellers, it is expected that staging of shumang Leela shows at the festival will be a huge crowd puller even though organising indigenous games at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, adventure sports at Lamdan and conducted tours to Zeilad lake and Barak water-falls in Tamenglong district, Dzuko valley in Senapati district, Shirui Hills at Ukhrul and Andro in Imphal East will also attract many.

To draw attention of the young ones the festival organisers would be conducting an essay competition with cash award of Rs 5000 on offer for the winner while photo competition winner would be richer by Rs 30,000 .

To ensure smooth conduct of the festival volunteers would be equipped with modern communication gadgets and toilet facilities would be provided at the Hapta Kangjeibung venue.

According to the official, publicity campaigns through print and electronic media have drawn encouraging response from both domestic and international tourists which could be summed up from the fact that almost the entire hotels in Imphal area have been booked to capacity.

Like in the previous event, the Manipur Sangai Festival this year will be organised with Rs 1 crore budget, added the official.