President of India inaugurates Manipur Sangai Festival

Newmai News Network Imphal | November 21 President of India, Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the biggest annual tourism festival of the State, Manipur Sangai Festival - 2017 at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal this evening.   Soon after his arrival at the festival venue, the President of India cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the symbolic opening of the festival in the presence of hordes of dignitaries.   First Lady Savita Kovind, Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla, Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge),  K. Alphons, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu and Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang graced the colourful function as guests of honour while Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren was the functional president.   Speaking at the opening ceremony held at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre, the President of India said the festival is the perfect showcase of cultural diversity of Manipur comprising its various communities and beautiful social fabric. He said that one can travel across the world but rarely comes across as spectacular as Loktak Lake.   Stating that Manipur’s cultural traditions, its social, religious and ethnic mosaic and its history are inspirations for everybody in India, he added, the State is India’s window to South East Asia and a key player in Union Government’s Act East Policy. As a result, there is a concentrated effort to quickly develop connectivity projects, Kovind said.   In this regard, the most prominent development is the construction of India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. In addition, an air cargo terminal is being planned at Imphal airport, he said.   Kovind further said that railway connection of the State capital with the rest of the country is going to be realised soon and the Ministry of civil aviation is going to increase the air traffic in the State as well.   The prospect of International trade of the State with Myanmar and other ASEAN countries is amazingly big, he said. The President also lauded Manipur’s contribution to the sporting glories of the country.   India takes great pride in Manipur’s cultural diversity and economic potential, he said while urging Manipuri people to put in concerted effort towards realisation of these potentials.   In her speech, Governor Najma Heptulla said that Manipur was earlier known more for its law and order problems rather than its scenic beauty and tremendous human resources. However, things have changed now, and the present Government has been successful in bringing back confidence among the people to a great extent, she added.   Manipur has immense tourism potential, and marketing is a key factor to reap dividends from this sector, the Governor opined.   She further said that the State Government has been making wholehearted effort to make Manipur a tourist destination through Manipur Sangai Festival, which has become a calendar activity of the Government.   Stating that Manipur is considered to be the birthplace of polo, the Governor said that Manipur Polo International is organised alongside Manipur Sangai Festival every year.   Speaking on the scenic beauty of Manipur, she said that Ukhrul and Tamenglong can be developed as attractive hill stations.   Mentioning that Manipur has the largest women’s market in the world, she thanked the Government of India for designating her as the first lady Governor of the State, where women are already empowered.   K Alphons said that nowhere in the world have such amazing things which are found in Manipur. Stating that that culture, tradition, food, costumes, people and scenic beauty of Manipur are wonderful, the Union Minister stated that the State must be christened ‘God’s Paradise’.   Informing that the NDA Government has been giving thrust to tourism sector, K. Alphons said that Rs. 169 crore had been sanctioned for development of tourism in the North East region so far.   Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister N. Biren said that the North East States can work together on the idea of a pan North East Tourism Circuit.   The Chief Minister thanked Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha for announcing to start Imphal-Delhi direct flight service twice a week from January next year. He also expressed confidence that the Udaan scheme would be accorded a high priority to promote the concept of North east Tourist Circuit.   The State Government, he said, will approach the Union Tourism Ministry with some projects including overall tourism development of Loktak area, cable car projects and development of wellness centres and strengthening of tourism infrastructure in the hills of the State.   With formation of the new Government in the State there is a growing feeling of optimism and heightened expectation in the minds of public, he said while adding that the State Government, therefore, decided to scale up Manipur Sangai Festival into a mega event for showcasing the tourism potentials of the State.   Another unique feature in this edition of the festival is the showcase of culture, art forms, cuisine, handloom and handicrafts of partner States of Madhya Pradesh and Nagaland under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.   Mesmerising cultural presentations were also showcased before the capacity crowd that included many distinguished dignitaries, foreign delegates and tourists.