Stage is set to celebrate the Shirui Festival. So far so good, Chief Minister N Biren Singh effort to heal the wound of bleeding Manipur is working well. The bondage of brotherhood among the hill and plain people has slowly restored and the feeling of oneness is breezing across the state. Thanks to the new government led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for organizing such a significant event at state level.
Shirui festival is indeed the need of the hour for obvious reasons. Politically it is important because the festival itself is a Bridge to the gap between various communities inhabiting in the state. The feeling of alienation among the communities inhabiting at the remote hilly areas will be wipe out from their mind and finally the sense of belongingness will be implant to each and every citizens irrespective of their communities. For years the people of the state has been witnessing Imphal centric festival organized at state level and not many people from the Hill villages had ever got the chances of enjoying such festival. The Shirui festival, which is being organized at Shirui Village and Ukhrul district head quarter, will definitely give chance to the forgotten hill brothers who had been staying at the remote areas.
Shirui is famous for the ‘Siroy Lily’ or Shirui Lily (Scientific name – Lilium mackliniae) – the state flower. And with the changing climatic conditions the flower which is found only at Shirui Village of Ukhrul district has become endangered. By organizing such a festival people of the state particularly those in Ukhrul will realized the significance of Shiroy Lilly Flower and any government’s effort to protect the flower will get support from the villagers.
Much has been talk , discussed about the potential of tourism industry in the state and perhaps this move of the government to organize the Shirui Festival is a way out to utilize the potential of the state resources to the world of tourism. Even though the festival is prepared only a month back government is doing good in publicity work for the festival. Already foreign tourist from country like Thailand has already been invited by the Chief Minister. Some of the tourists from the neighbouring village are also expected to visit the festival.
For sure, the scenic beauty of Ukhrul and Shirui Hill range will win the heart of the visitors and the attractiveness of Siroy Lilly will make them tell the story to other friends from outside the state. It is upto the people of Ukhrul that the town becomes a popular hill station in the coming days. The announcement of the festival had already prompted some talented youths of the state particularly those jobless youth from Ukhrul to take up challenging experiment for generating income while promoting the festival.
The need of the hour is humility and friendly attitude towards those visiting the festival. Let us hope for a better Manipur, a tourist destination for the people of the globe.