Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy enthralled seeing all the 32 tribal communities of the state in one place
IT News
Imphal, Nov 21:
Sangai Tourism Festival – the largest festival of Manipur organized by the State Tourism department to boost the tourism Industry in the state kicks start today at the newly constructed Sangai Ethnic Park at Moirang Khunou in Bishnupur District.
Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who is also Minister for DONer and Culture of the Government of India, who attended the inaugural function of the festival officially declare the opening of the largest Tourism festival of the state at around 2.30 pm today.
Talking on the Occasion Reddy said that for two years the Sangai Festival could not be organized due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. But with the vibrant Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Center over 220 crore doses of Covid Vaccine have been given free of cost.
“Because of the commitment and vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi we can now gather and celebrate Sangai Festival”, The Tourism Minister said adding that prime Minister Modi had told him that by next year the Sangai Festival will be a Mega Tourism festival.
He also said that Indian visits foreign countries like South Africa, London, Canada, Switzerland etc. to see the beauty of those country. However, if those people started knowing the natural scenic beauty of Manipur their holiday plan will certainly change and more and more people will start visiting the state of Manipur.
Unlike yesteryears, the state Tourism department under the directives of the government of Manipur is organizing the Sangai Festival at 14 locations, including Behiang in the East and Moa in the North. Hapta Kangjeibung, Lamboi Khongnangkhong etc. will also continue to be Sangai Festival Venue.
What attracts the inaugural day of the festival is the witnessing of the Sangai Ethnic Park in complete structures with traditional houses of all the 33 tribal communities besides other major infrastructures.
“We started the construction of the Sangai Ethic Park on August 28 and in nearly 3 months the structure is almost completed,” Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who graced the occasion as the Chief Host said.
As per the official announcement on behalf of the State Tourism department, the total estimated project cost for the construction of the Sangai Ethnic Park at Moirang Khunou is Rs. 4.45 Crore. Interestingly the land for the construction of the ethnic park was donated by the villagers and people of Moirang Khunou area without demanding or accepting any land compensation.
Rajya Sabha MP Maharaj Leishemba, who presided over the inaugural function while praying for the grand success of the festival urged the Government of India through the Tourism Minister to take special care for the protection of the Loktak lake, the one and only floating Keibul Lamjao National Park where the rare Brow Alter Deer (Sangai) is found. He also said that the pony which gave Polo game to the world is endangered and urged the Minister to take up some measures for the protection of the rare species.
