Newmai News Network Imphal | November 30 The 10-day annual Manipur Sangai Festival, 2018 organised by the State Government of Manipur with a vision to promote tourism sector in the State came to an end with a glittering function held at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) in Imphal today. Governor Dr Najma Heptulla and Chief Minister N Biren Singh graced the closing function as the chief guest and president respectively. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Heptulla said that tourism is considered the fastest growing sector in today’s development scenario anywhere in the world. Stating that tourism has become the economic lifeline of many countries without much natural resources, she opined that it has successfully transformed the economic landscape of these countries and helped in maintaining a vibrant economy. Tourism in the State also deserves due attention, she said while adding that tourism infrastructure such as accommodation, road and transport are prerequisites for attracting the tourists and these need to be engaged on priority particularly in the hill districts, she also said. The Governor then stated that the issue of accommodation would automatically be addressed if there is a rise in tourists and for this, investment would be forthcoming. "What a tourist needs is not a five star hotel but a basic clean, hygienic and affordable accommodation", she said. The concerned agencies of the State Government should inspect the hotels and other places of stay regularly to ensure that they are maintained at a minimum standard of hygiene and cleanliness, the Governor added. "Paying guest system needs to be encouraged as Manipur now has many private buildings which easily meet the standard. For this, training of the owners of these buildings needs to be carried out and inspection done regularly", she said. Further, the civic authorities and the people should make Manipur a much cleaner State, particularly the roads and other public places, the Governor added. Stating that a number of places in the hill districts of the State can be developed into popular hill stations, Dr Heptulla said that under the Act East Policy, steady increase in the tourism infrastructure like hotels and road and transport and specific initiatives taken up by the State Government like the Manipur Sangai Festival, things have started looking up in the tourism sector. Speaking on the occasion, N Biren Singh said that people of both the hill and valley districts extended equal co-operation to the Government in organising the 10-day festival this year. He said that the Manipur Cherry Blossom cum Flower Festival organised at Mao in Senapati District became a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival from this year onwards. The Princess of Thailand and the US Ambassador to India attended the festival for the first time this year, he said while adding that Sumo wrestling events was organised in the North East region for the first time during the festival. N Biren Singh said that the Princess of Thailand was impressed on having glimpses of the historic antique items showcased at Kangla Museum. Stating that the Thai Princess’ visit to the State was very positive, N Biren Singh said that the Princess expressed her willingness to take up some joint venture activities with the State. The Chief Minister also said that he had assured the 15th Finance Commission members that the new State Government would do the needful to reach the Government benefits and funds to the targeted people at the grassroots level. He opined that the ‘Go to Hill’ and the ‘Go to Village’ missions of the new State Government are the significant steps towards this end. Stating that many deserved people and households are unable to get benefits under Government’s noble schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana - Ayushman Bharat and National Food Security Act (NFSA) due to faulty collection of datas during Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) compilation, N. Biren Singh said that he had instructed the Chief Secretary to constitute an enquiry committee to probe the reason for such irregularities. Informing that some people had opined that the State Government has been giving too much emphasis to organising many festivals, the Chief Minister opined that festivals in different districts are organised to inculcate the sense of competition and hard work among farmers. Ginger, pineapple and orange productions had increased manifold after organising Ginger Festival, Pineapple Festival and Orange Festival, he observed. Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar, Manipur Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker K. Robindro, Ministers, MLAs, high ranking civil, police and military officers and large number of people also attended the closing function. The Chief Minister feted officials of different Government Departments, agencies and private companies for extending support and co-operation in successfully organising the biggest tourism festival of the State at the function. Colourful cultural programmes were also presented at the function.