Newmai News Network Ukhrul | April 24 Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh opened the 2nd State Level Shirui Lily Festival 2018 at a glittering function attended by hordes of dignitaries and hundreds of people from different parts of the State at the village playground of Shirui village in Ukhrul district today. The Shirui Lily Festival 2018 will conclude on April 28. The festival spreads over multiple venues which include the Shirui Village Ground where the opening ceremony was held today and the TNL Ground in Ukhrul town where the closing ceremony will be held on April 28. According to Manipur Tourism department, the festival is sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur to spread awareness about conservation of the endangered Shirui Lily and promote the district of Ukhrul as a tourist destination in Manipur. The festival is also being supported by NEC and aims to promote afforestation and sustainable tourism efforts in the state, the Manipur Tourism department added. Addressing the function, the Chief Minister reiterated that the new Government’s mission is to deliver the assurances that they had made to the public. The CM recalled that during his maiden visit to Ukhrul district headquarters in April last year, he promised to take up 29 different projects worth Rs. 205 crore. Out of these 29 projects, necessary funds for 21 projects had already been sanctioned and some projects had already been completed so far. Among these completed projects, ten projects had been inaugurated so far, he informed. Regarding the proposal for development of ‘Shirui Heritage’, he said that the matter would be properly discussed with the Department of Art and Culture so as to protect and preserve the rare Shirui Lily. Pointing out that the Government’s new initiative ‘Go to Village’ mission would be launched on May 1, the CM stated that the mission has been initiated to reach out to the people at the grassroots level and also to practically solve the problems and issues faced by the people. At the initial phase of the mission, the Government would develop 60 model villages; one each from every Assembly Constituency of the State, Biren said. Health Minister L. Jayantakumar, Agriculture Minister V. Hangkhanlian, Public Health Engineering Minister. Dikho, Education Minister Th. Radheshyam, Tourism Corporation of Manipur Chairman, Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Manipur Pollution Control Board Chairman L. Radhakishore, MLAs Khashim Vashum, K. Leishiyo, Alfred Kangam Arthur and Ashab Uddin, ADC Chairman and Members, Principal Secretary (Relief and Disaster Management) MH Khan, Ukhrul DC Harmit Singh Pahuja and other high ranking State and Central Government officials also attended the function. Later, the CM also inaugurated Women’s Market of the district at Phungreitang in Ukhrul town. The market shed was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 crore by Manipur Police Housing Corporation. The CM also announced that Khangkhui Cave of the district would be developed as a major tourist destination at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.5 crore. He also said that the Government has taken up all necessary steps to start construction of a community hall at Shirui village. Later, he inaugurated stalls and opened cultural programme presentations at Tangkhul Naga Long ground as part of the five-day festival. Apart from the stalls, cultural presentations and others items will be held at the TNL ground daily. Shirock 2018 which includes a rock competition and grand concerts of two internationally renowned bands from USA – Steel Heart and Queensrÿche - will be held at Bakshi Ground.
