Manipur Sangai Festival 2019 concludes with grandeur

Imphal, December 2, 2019(DIPR): The 9 day long Manipur SangaiFestival 2019 concluded today with the closing ceremony held at Bhagyanchandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) with Governor of Manipur Dr Najma Heptulla and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh as chief guest and president respectively. The 10th Edition of the Manipur Sangai Festival which started on 24th November 2019 and scheduled to conclude on 30th November, 2019 was extended for two days till 2nd December, 2019 on popular demand from the public.

 Speaking at the closing ceremony function, Dr NajmaHeptulla said that the festival is an attempt to show-case the State’s best traditions and culture besides promoting our handloom and handicraft products. The Festival is a proof that the Government is consistent in its effort towards establishing Manipur Tourism as a brand in the global tourism map.

 The Governor stated that Manipur, despite being blessed with beautiful places having the potential for a world class tourist destination, has been facing constraint in attracting tourists’ due to propagation of negative reports especially the law and order problem. She also expressed the necessity of the State Government and its people to work towards dispelling the negative image.

 Speaking about the accommodation of tourist, she said that 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. Paying guest system can also be introduced as Manipur now has many private buildings which easily meet the standard, she added.

 Dr Najma also raised her concern on the low number of visitors and sales during the festival despite better publicity and creating a more festive mood at the venue. She urged the concerned agencies to ascertain the reason and come up with appropriate responses so that next year such issues are redressed. She also made a sincere appeal to all the people of Manipur, especially Civil Society Organisations to extend their full cooperation to make Sangai Festival a grand success in future too.

 Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh, while delivering his presidential speech, spoke about the role of Sangai Festival in bringing love and understanding, feeling of oneness among different communities. Festival is for the people and it gives avenue to the people to showcase the state to the world, he added.

 He stated that lack of sense of responsibility and belongingness has been a hindrance in the development of the state. He appealed to the people of the state to cooperate the Government in addressing any problem by finding the reason or root of causing such problems. He also appreciated all the Government Officials and concerned authorities for their contribution and efforts in organising the festival. 

 It may be mentioned that every year the State of Manipur celebrates the “Manipur Sangai Festival” from 21st to 30th November. The ‘Festival’ is named after the State animal, Sangai, the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur. It started in the year 2010 and has grown over the years into a big platform for Manipur to showcase its rich tradition and culture to the world. The festival is labeled as the grandest festival of the State today and helps promote Manipur as a world class tourism destination. 

 Cultural programmes and felicitation of officials for their contribution in organising the festival were the main highlight of the closing ceremony. Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, DGP, top civil and police officials attended the function.