Pothashang News Service
Imphal, November, 10: The Directorate of Tourism, government of Manipur is all set to unroll the 8th and the biggest edition of the Manipur Sangai Festival ever held since its inception in 2010.
The festival this year ‘ will be held from 21″ to 30″ November 2017 at Hapta Kanqjeibung, Imphal East District; Mapal Kangjeibung, ‘ Imphal West District; Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Imphal West District; Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal East District and at Sendra, Takmu Water Sports Complex and Keibul in Bishnupur District. The festival expects to welcome over 50,000 attendees this year including national leaders, policy makers, industry experts, business delegates and exhibitors from over 20 countries like Bhutan, Cambodia, Egypt, Haiti, japan, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Russia, SoUth Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, U.A.E. and Zimbabwe etc.
The Hon’ble President of India, Shh Ram Nath Kovind will be inaugurating the Manipur Sangai Festival this year at the main venue at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal East District on the 21St November, 2017. The venue will feature an array of cultural dance and song performances such as Kuki dance, Leisem jagoi, Maram dance, Mao dance, Thougal jagoi, Phousa jagoi, Zou dance, Moirang Parva, Tangkhul folk music, Khulang Eshei, wan Pheibok, Khongjom Parva, Kabul Folk song, Kawali, Moirang Sal, Pena, Manipuri folk song, traditional song of Andro and other programmes like Meitei Wart Dhol-Dhulok Cholom and Thang Ta Chainaba besides fun activities for children throughout the festival. Besides, photography exhibition, MTF World War II exhibition, flower show, theme parks, food stalls and other entertainment programmes like ‘Meet the Stars’ and ‘Sangai Open Mic’ will also form part of the showcase at the main venue at Hapta Kangjeibung this year. In addition, there will be regular cultural performances by artists from the different tribes of the state and from other states of India as well as international artists and cultural troupe throughout the festival at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre at Hapta Kangjeibung.
While speaking about Manipur Tourism’s expectations from the Manipur Sangai Festival, Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Chairman, Tourism Corporation Manipur Limited said, “Our goal for 2017 is to double the number of attendees that we witnessed last year. We were quite pleased with last year’s footfalls of over 40,000 people per day, especially considering the scale of the festival as compared to the upcoming edition of 2017.”
“In this edition of the Manipur Sangai Festival we have been able to expand our marketing and publicity campaign for the festival in different cities all over India. Manipur Tourism has been reaching out to potential travelers to the state through multiple platforms which include print and digital, social media, radio, television, billboards and other on-site publicity activities engaging airports and metro trains etc.,” he added.
A half marathon event in three categories- Sangai Run (Distance-21 kms; Route: Sendra-Thanga-Keibul Lamjao – Moirang – Sendra), Loktak Run (Distance-7.5 kms; Route: From Sendra-Young Ideal Cub Cum Library Ground) and School Run (Distance-3.5 kms; Route: Sendra-Thanga Wangma) in Bishnupur District on 19″ November, 2017 will be part of a curtain raiser event to the inaugural function at the main venue at Hapta Kangjeibung on 21″ November, 2017. The Loktak Run will culminate at the Young Ideal Club Cum Library Ground near the Keibul Lamjao National Park gate where the chief minister of Manipur, Nongthombam Biren Singh will grace the curtain raiser event as the chief guest. The event is expected to draw attendance of over 1,000 invitees and marathon runners from Manipur and other states of India as well as international runners.
In its effort to showcase the immense tourism potential of Loktak Lake and its adjoining areas, the Government of Manipur will hold a cultural event with a theme centred around the culture of Loktak Lake, modem polo and the endangered brow-antkred deer on the evenings of the 22″and 23″November, 2017 at the Takmu Water Sports Complex at Loktak Lake in Bishnupur District. The event organised by Manipur Tourism in 00-ordination with several line departments, as part of the Manipur Sangai Festival will highlight the significance of Loktak Lake for the state’s economy and also the unique characteristics of the lake. The two-day cultural event will showcase the state’s rich and diverse socio-cultural traditions through a oombination of dance and entertainment performances. The event is expected to be a first of its kind in Manipur with 30 laser projectors lighting up the sky and forming several patterns that will represent Manipur’s distinct and unique culture and traditions. The venue at Takmu Water Sports Complex will also host several water activities like Water Skiing, Sailboard, Wind Surfing and Local Boat Races etc. from 22″- 25″November 2017.
Manipur is also going to host the North East Development Summit for the first time during the Manipur Sangai tal this year. The aim of the summit is to develop the North East Region with special focus on the state of Manipur by invitmg investors and other stakeholders from across India and other countries to explore business opportunities in Manipur. The Summit will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind on the 21″November, 2017.
The venue at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal East District will host serval indigenous sports events such as Mukna Kangjei, Yubi Lakpi, Mukna, Cheibi, Thang Ta, Kang and other sports like Sepak Takraw and Muary Thai. Other fund activities like horse riding for children (Archery Field), Tethered hot Air Ballooning (3 ballons at the Main Stadium), Raft Boating, Water Zorbing, Spider Net, Burma Bridge, Boulder Climbing Land Zorbing, ATV bike and Bungee Trampoline etc. will also be conducted at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
In addition to hundreds of stalls selling products from Manipur, different states and from abroad, tethered Hot Air Ballooning will also be an attraction at the venue at Lamboi Khongnangkhong. The venue will host the biggest number of commercial stalls from both within and outside the country at the festival. Apart from these venues, the Mapal Kangjeibung (Polo Ground) at the heart of the city will also be the main attraction with polo matches between teams from Manipur representing India and other countries. A Boat Race (Hiyang Tanaba) will also be conducted on 26″ November, 2017at the South-Western part of the Kangla Moat where teams of boat racers will be dressed in their indigenous attires and compete at the race.
Keeping in view the large number of traffic movements expected during the upcoming festival the State Police Department has charted out routes that will help ease the flow of traffic during the festival. The Department will also ensure safety of the visitors through a 24/7 Helpline Number for the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur. For police assistance, visitors to the festival may contact the numbers below:
SP, Imphal East- Mobile No.- 9436033471
SSP, Imphal West- Mobile No.- 9436279997
SP, Bishnupur- Mobile No.- 9862067893
Lambol Khongnangkhong; Khuman Lampak, Control Room- 0385-2450214
Hapta Kanqjeibung, Control Room- 0385- 2452669
Bishnupur Control Room- 03879-222339
For better traffic management and smooth passage of the visitors during the festival, the Department has also sought co-operation of the general public and advised responsible driving to the youths of the State while appealing to the public to abide by parking rule’; during the festival Movement of commercial and private heavy vehicles will be restricted during the festival and security arrangements around the city will also be beefed up in order to ensure safety of the visitors. CCTV cameras will be installed at all the main venues. Also, in view of the multiple venues at this edition of the festival, the Tourism Department has organised a free shuttle service, comprising 40 Tata Wingers fitted with GPS device to shuttle between the four main venues- Hapta Kanqjeibung, Imphal East District; Mapal Kanqjeibung, Imphal West District; Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Imphal West District; Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal East District.
Entry tickets for Hapta Kangjeibung will be priced at Rs.30l- (Adult) and Rs.20l- (Uniformed Students) and for Khuman Lampak and Lamboi Khongnangkhong it will be priced at Rs. 20 (Adult) and Rs.10 (Uniformed Students). For tethered hot air balloon flights, tickets will be priced at the rate of Rs. 250 (Uniformed Students) and Rs. 500 (Adults). Tickets will be available at all venues of the event. Tickets will also be available at Yarioijs counters at Kongba, Singjamei, Lilong, Kwakeithel, Keishampat, Uripok, Lalambung, Khoyathong and Larnlong. Online tickets are also available at www.sanqaiticket.com.
Every year, the state of Manipur celebrates the Manipur Sangai Festival, from November 21″ to 30″. The festival is named after the state animal, the Sangai deer — a brow-antlered species found only in Manipur. With the first edition back in 2010, the festival has grown over the years into a big platform for Manipur to showcase its rich tradition and culture. Today, the festival is Manipur Tourism’s biggest showcase, promoting the state as a world class travel destination. Every edition of the festival highlights the tourism potential of the state, be it art, culture, textiles, sporting activities, and cuisine, among others. The upcoming festival will reflect Manipur’s proud cultural heritage and the state’s love for music and dance, which is inherent amongst the various tribes inhabiting the state.
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