With barely two days to go for the Sangai Festival 2022, Manipur is all geared up to showcase the best of its cultures and traditions at 13 venues across six districts with cultural and entertainment extravaganza.
Director of the Directorate of Tourism, government of Manipur, W Ibohal on Friday appealed to the people of Manipur to maintain a neat and clean environment everywhere and urged roadside shop owners to clean the shop’s front voluntarily.
Addressing the press at Tourism director’s office, Ibohal said the directorate of tourism is all set to roll out the 11th and the biggest edition of the Manipur Sangal Festival ever since its inception in 2010. After a hiatus brought on by the global pandemic, the Manipur Sangai Festival 2022 will bring together the 'Land of Jewels' to celebrate the festival of oneness and showcase the resilient spirit of unity in diversity, he said.
Ibohal said that the state is all geared up to welcome delegates from South-East Asian countries the cultural evenings, light and sound show, Mixed Martial Art fights, indigenous sports, food stalls and many more.
ALSO READ: Manipur Sangai Festival 2022 Curtain Raiser: Chief Minister N Biren calls for peaceful celebration
The festival will be held from November 21 to 30 at 13 venues at Hapta Kangjeibung, MFSDS, City Convention Centre, Ibudhou Marjing Complex, Heingang and Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal East; Mapal Kangjeibung, Kangla Manung Kangjeibung in Imphal West; Moirang Khunou at Bishnupur district; Behiang and Khuga at Churachandpur district and at Mao and Makhel at Senapati District.
The star attraction will be the opening ceremony at the magnificent Sangai Ethnic Park in Moirang Khunou which also houses indigenous tribal huts showcasing the diverse ethnic communities of Manipur and the splendour of indigenous handloom and handicrafts which reveal the rich artistic heritage passed down through the ages.
In addition, there will be regular cultural performances by artistes from the different tribes of the state and from other states of India as well as international artistes and cultural troupes throughout the festival at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre at Hapta Kangjeibung where the closing ceremony will be held on November 30.
ALSO READ: House to house search operation, CASO conducted ahead of Sangai Festival
While speaking about Manipur Tourism's expectations from the Manipur Sangai Festival, PK Jha, Commissioner (Tourism), Government of Manipur said, "Our goal for 2022 is to double the number of attendees that we witnessed in the last edition of this festival. We were quite pleased with the footfalls we received in 2019 at the Manipur Sangai Festival, especially considering the scale of the festival as compared to the upcoming edition of 2022."
Highlighting the events, Ibohal said that spanning 10 days, the festival will feature World War II exhibitions, film screenings, flower shows, theme parks and other entertainment programs like 'Meet the Stars', besides fun activities for children throughout the festival. The Cherry Blossom festival at Mao and the village of Makhel in Senapati are other experiences that should not be missed.
Visitors will also get to witness Sagol Kangjei, a sport which has now evolved into the modern game of Polo, in its very own birthplace at the Men's International Polo Tournament and CM's Sagol Kangjei Tournament at Kangla Polo Ground.
One can also enjoy the thrill of various Indigenous Sports and marvel at the athleticism of Thang Ta, Mukna Kangjei, and Yubi Lakpi etc. at Ibudhou Marjing complex, Heingang this year.
In this edition of the Manipur Sangai festival, Ibohal said that they have been able to expand the publicity campaign for the festival in cities like Kolkata and Bengaluru. He said the state organised a curtain raiser event at Kolkata last month and received a very encouraging response.
“We have also been reaching out to our target audience through multiple platforms which include print and digital media, radio, television, and other on-site publicity activities" said Waikhom Ibohal, director (Tourism), Manipur.
ALSO READ: Churachandpur gears up for Sangai Festival 2022
He mentioned the curtain raiser events held at Kangla Western Gate at Imphal West and Mao at Senapati on November 15. In its effort to showcase the immense tourism potential of Manipur and its cultural diversity, the government of Manipur has centred the theme of the edition of the festival on ‘oneness’.
Ibohal said that as the grandest and most extravagant festival of Manipur, the Sangai Festival 2022 is expected to welcome national leaders, policymakers, industry experts, business delegates, cultural performers, exhibitors and visitors from various countries around the world.
For better traffic management and smooth passage of the visitors during the festival, the department sought co-operation of the general public and advised responsible driving to the youths of the state while appealing to the public to abide by parking rules during the festival. Movement of commercial and private heavy vehicles will be restricted during the festival and security arrangements around the city will also be beefed up in order to ensure safety of the visitors. CCTV cameras will be installed at all the main venues.
He informed that entry tickets will be priced at Rs 50 (adults) and Rs 20 (uniform student) and season tickets for stall owners will be priced at Rs 1000 (30 times entry). Tickets will be available online at www.sangaiticket.com from today.
From 20 November, tickets will be available at public gathering places at Khwairamband and at other places to free from rush.
Replying to the media question, Ibohal said that since 2019 there are stalls for disable people, this year too there will be stalls. If they want to have a special programme for them it is always open for them.
He appealed for support and cooperation of other departments and people to grant success.
