The Manipur Sangai Festival 2022 concluded on Wednesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the closing function via a video message at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre.
Modi said that labelled as the grandest festival in the state, the Manipur Sangai Festival helps in promoting Manipur as a world-class tourism destination.
“Manipur Sangai Festival highlights the spirit and passion of the people of Manipur”, the prime minister said before applauding the efforts and the comprehensive vision of the state government and Chief Minister N Biren Singh for organising this festival.
The prime minister also stressed on Manipur’s abundant natural beauty, cultural richness and diversity, and said that everyone wants to visit the state at least once and drew an analogy to a beautiful garland that is made up of different gems.
"Manipur is like an elegant garland where one can witness a mini India in the state," Modi said.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who was the chief host of the event, said that Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, who was in the state for the opening of the Festival, had during his visit assured Rs 100 crore for development of tourist spots in the state, including the Sangai Ethnic Park.
Highlighting various events and programmes conducted during the 10-day-long festival, including MMA event, indigenous wrestling, Sagol Kangjei, international polo, cultural shows, among others, the chief minister said the festival was conducted at 14 venues across the state.
Biren said the festival, celebrated this year with the theme ‘Festival of Oneness’, which is also appreciated by the prime minister, aims to spread the message of unity and oneness in the state and country.
Further expressing gratitude to all those involved in organizing the festival, including ministers, MLAs, officials, public, the chief minister said we are able to hold the 10-day festival smoothly and successfully without any glitch due to the sincerity, hard-work, dedication and support of all.
The chief minister also spoke on certain initiatives taken up during the festival like the Tourist Police, which he said will be made a permanent force, Mounted Police (Sagol gi police) woman commandos at venues. We could take up all this with support of the people, the chief minister said, adding that the Moirang Ethnic Park was constructed within a short span of time and further lauded the MLAs and public of Moirang and Thanga for their support and cooperation.
Further in his speech, N Biren Singh also highlighted high profile visits from Consul General US (Kolkata), Consul General France (Kolkata), US Consulate General, Ambassadors of Myanmar/ Thailand/ Cambodia and High Comissioner of Brunei and others during the festival. He said that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan brought along a cultural troupe strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Chief Guest of the closing event, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju said “We always feel proud of our culture and identity. The vibrancy of Manipur, its vibrant culture as well as natural beauty of Manipur has been attractive all over.”
“Manipur is a unique state which really shines in all spheres of life,” he said, before lauding the sporting potential of the state’s sportspersons. The Manipur sportsperson have been winning medals and displaying their skills and talents across the globe, he said.
Besides sports, the culture especially the art form of Manipuri dances and beautiful folk dances in the hills of Manipur are mesmerizing, he said further stressing that Manipur is a unique state which has unlimited potential to grow.
“I can also see the potential in various spheres of life, the youth of the Manipur must be ready to embrace the opportunity,” he said, adding that the government jobs and government works are very limited and the people must explore beyond the opportunities provided by the state government.
Rijiju also stressed on the importance of rural tourism and said the concept of rural tourism is extremely important because rural tourism also take along our culture, our tradition as well as our traditional life style. We can have homestay at beautiful local type small houses where small families can come and stay, he added.
Many people want to enjoy life in a manner in which it has its form of originality we must not lose our original and our traditional style because that is our identity we need not copy the western culture we may learn western culture and many things from western world but at the same time the inherent character of ourself that is so vital.
“I can see the tremendous progress of Manipur when you have this world class railways connectivity, air connectivity road facilities everything in next five to 10 years' time I can definitely say that Manipur will be flooded with tourist.”
Lauding the efforts of the CM N Biren Singh for bringing positive and colourful changes in the Sangai festival, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu said that the initiative of celebrating the Festival across the state with flavours of neighbouring states as well as the cultural taste from the South East Asian countries has truly define the tagline of the Festival the "Festival of Oneness".
The event was attended by Chief Justice and Justices of Manipur High Court, Ministers, Rajya Sabha MP Maharaj Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar, DGP P. Doungel, among others.
A Cultural choreography and a fashion show enthralled that audience at a packed Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre.
Also Read: NEP 2020 has vision to make India Vishwa Guru again: MoS Ranjan
