The three-day state-level Tamenglong Orange Festival 2022 of Manipur began in Tamenglong district headquarters at Mini Stadium Apollo Ground on Saturday.
Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister Khashim Vashum, Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai and Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei attended as chief guest, president and chief host respectively on the first day. Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti Singh, Karong MLA J Kumo Sha attended as guests of honour. Actress Biju Ningombam attended the event as a special guest.
As part of the festival, Janghemlung Panmei inaugurated a monument, ‘I Love Tamenglong’ at Haipou Jadonang Park Tamenglong. Tamenglong Baptist Church assistant pastor Dilu Pamei offered prayers for the monument.
This year, at the 17th edition of the Orange Festival, the district administration increased the number of participants in the Best Orange competition to 264.
Superintendent of police Tamenglong Anupam commissioned at least 50 volunteers from NCC and student police cadets as a part of the festival on the first day.
In his speech, Vashum said the festival is organised to boost the economy of Tamenglong people. He also thanked all the artistes for participating and mentioned that their presence made the festival a grand success.
He appealed to all to work harder in producing more oranges in the future and organise the festival on a bigger scale.
Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti Singh said that Tamenglong district is progressing as its people work hard. The festival is bringing the hills and valleys together, he added.
Like the Sangai Festival, he would request to organise the festival at different places in the state, he added.
MLA Janghemlung Panmei welcomed all the guests and thanked all the orange growers. He also urged the orange growers to work harder to have bigger festivals in the future.
United Women's Organisation Tamenglong performed a traditional dance and enthralled the gathering. Emmanuel Baptist Church Tamenglong also performed a song.
District level officers of Tamenglong including deputy commissioner Tamenglong Pawan Yadav, Noney deputy commissioner Joseph Pauline, SDO Tamenglong Imosana Meitei, SDO Tousem Paul Nangsha, SDO Nungba Namlalung also attended the event.
