The inaugural function of Manipur tourism festival, Sangai Festival in Imphal on Monday. Seen in the pictures are Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh and his cabinet ministers N Biren, Dr Loken, TN Haokip, Lok Sabha MO Dr Meinya, chief secretary DS Poonia, director general of police Y Joykumar and other officials. (NNN Photo)
Imphal | November 21 : The state tourism festival officially known as “Sangai Festival”, where many countries are also taking parts, was on Monday opened by Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh at Hatta Kangjeibung.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Ibobi announced that Protected Area Permit (PAP) has been lifted for one more year on trial basis and tourists from other countries can now visit the state any time without any obstacles.
Ibobi said Manipur has the potentials to become a hot tourist spot in the Southeast Asia. The big cities of the world like New York, Singapore, Tokyo are indeed amazing but still the state of Manipur is more beautiful because of its natural looks, the Chief Minister claimed.
“In India, Manipur holds a title, “Jewels of Lands”, he added.
However, Ibobi noted that number one major problem of Manipur is law and order. It is the major problem hampering development works, he insisted.
Highlighting the importance of tourism development in the state, he said everyone should share every problem in order to uplift the state. Ibobi further observed that the state has a lot of potentials although it lacks adequate infrastructures.
He also said, “Manipur has become a medical tourist spot in the Northeast with the RIMS hospital and Shija hospital are largely contributing the region in the field of medical science and also efforts are on to improve the medical sector.”
Principal secretary, Art and Culture, k.K. Chetry, who was also attended the function informed that more than 300 stalls, including participants from other countries, are taking parts in the 10-day festival.
Countries like Kenya, Myanmar, Thailand and North Korea are participating in the festival. Exhibition and sale of local products like handloom and handicraft items, exhibition of indigenous games like Mukna Kangjei, Mukna, Kang, Yubu Lakpi, Sagol Kangjei and Arambai will feature in the festival.
Other events like, adventure sports and eco-tourism like expeditions to Dzuko valley, Loktak Lake and Lamdan, rock-climbing, Para-gliding will also be included in the festival which ends on November 20.
Besides Chief Minister Ibobi and K.K.Cheetry , N. Biren, IFCD minister, L. Loken, PDA chairman, TN Haokip, tourism minister among other attended in the opening ceremony.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Ibobi announced that Protected Area Permit (PAP) has been lifted for one more year on trial basis and tourists from other countries can now visit the state any time without any obstacles.
Ibobi said Manipur has the potentials to become a hot tourist spot in the Southeast Asia. The big cities of the world like New York, Singapore, Tokyo are indeed amazing but still the state of Manipur is more beautiful because of its natural looks, the Chief Minister claimed.
“In India, Manipur holds a title, “Jewels of Lands”, he added.
However, Ibobi noted that number one major problem of Manipur is law and order. It is the major problem hampering development works, he insisted.
Highlighting the importance of tourism development in the state, he said everyone should share every problem in order to uplift the state. Ibobi further observed that the state has a lot of potentials although it lacks adequate infrastructures.
He also said, “Manipur has become a medical tourist spot in the Northeast with the RIMS hospital and Shija hospital are largely contributing the region in the field of medical science and also efforts are on to improve the medical sector.”
Principal secretary, Art and Culture, k.K. Chetry, who was also attended the function informed that more than 300 stalls, including participants from other countries, are taking parts in the 10-day festival.
Countries like Kenya, Myanmar, Thailand and North Korea are participating in the festival. Exhibition and sale of local products like handloom and handicraft items, exhibition of indigenous games like Mukna Kangjei, Mukna, Kang, Yubu Lakpi, Sagol Kangjei and Arambai will feature in the festival.
Other events like, adventure sports and eco-tourism like expeditions to Dzuko valley, Loktak Lake and Lamdan, rock-climbing, Para-gliding will also be included in the festival which ends on November 20.
Besides Chief Minister Ibobi and K.K.Cheetry , N. Biren, IFCD minister, L. Loken, PDA chairman, TN Haokip, tourism minister among other attended in the opening ceremony.
