Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveils Manipur’s mega Sangai festival

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday unveiled the 10-day long Manipur’s annual Sangai tourism festival at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal.

By cutting the ribbon, Smt @nsitharaman inaugurates the opening ceremony of the Manipur Sangai Festival in Imphal, along with Hon'ble CM Shri @NBirenSingh pic.twitter.com/1pJOSD0hYH

— Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) November 21, 2018

Considered as the biggest festival of the state, the event will see various cultural troupes from different parts of the country, including Assam, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh; and countries like Thailand and South Korea, the organisers said.

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“Unity in diversity in #ManipurSangaiFestival2018. Come out and enjoy the heavenly cultural delights of Magnificent Manipur,” Chief Minister N Biren Singh tweeted.

Unity in diversity in #ManipurSangaiFestival2018. Come out and enjoy the heavenly cultural delights of Magnificent Manipur. pic.twitter.com/N3UI6qGZxY

— Nongthombam Biren (@NBirenSingh) November 21, 2018

Named after the state animal, Sangai, the shy and gentle brow-antlered deer, the festival was started in 2010 with an aim to promote Manipur as a world-class tourism.

The deer Saingai, according to sources, is found only at floating Keibul Lamjao National Park, the natural habitat in Loktak Lake.

Speaking on the occasion, Sitharaman praised the landscapes, natural resources, richness in dance and costumes of the state. She appreciated the people for preserving forests and wildlife.

The union minister lauded the role of the Manipuri woman for achieving things through hard work and not by sympathy and assured all possible assistance from her side to usher peace and development in the border state.

Governor Najma Heptulla said the Sangai festival was now recognised as a national event and has brought the state’s cultural flavour to the centre stage, as well as promote handloom and handicraft products.

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Heptulla announced that under the Act East Policy, there had been a steady increase in the tourism infrastructure like hotels, roads and transport.

The main attractions of the festival include sumo shows, an international polo tournament, a series of cultural shows and much more, it said.

The chief minister also said sumo wrestlers from Japan would perform during the festival.

Meanwhile, the princess of Thailand, two chief ministers from neighbouring Myanmar and US Ambassador to India are expected to attend one of the days in the festival, according to sources.

The festival will be organised at five different venues across four districts of the State, unlike the past. The cherry blossom festival at Mao Hill Station in Senapati district and Sangai fest at Keibul Lamjao in Bishnupur district are also likely to attract the visitors.

(With inputs from agencies)