Unstated points of Sangai Festival : Selective silence of the Govt
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 05, 2014 -

Regular chartered ATR flights between Imphal and Mandalay to be launched on the inaugural day of the upcoming Sangai Festival.

Visa on arrival facility to be opened at Moreh and Imphal airport ahead of the Sangai Festival.

Good, positive news for the Government seems intent on sending out the message that it is ready to look beyond the Sangai Festival and in the process open up the sky for tourists inflow.

A sure shot formula to make the Sangai Festival more meaningful.

Good and inspiring idea it is to connect the potential inflow of tourists with the Sangai Festival for this is perhaps one of the few occasions when Manipur can show case itself collectively to the outside world and underline the point that Manipur is home to diverse cultures and peoples.

And it goes without saying that the only way to attract tourists is to open up and it should be more than indicative that the new measures spelt out by the State Government fall in line with this observation.

What however has been left unsaid is how the State Government intends to keep the flow of tourists to the State constant.

Or are the measures, such as visa on arrival and regular flights with Mandalay temporary arrangements which will last only during the Sangai Festival ?

This question should gain credence in the face of the fact that it was during last year’s Sangai Festival that an aircraft from Myanmar’s Golden Airlines landed at Imphal airport.

Why was it not spelt out clearly that the international flight from Myanmar was just a temporary arrangement to be effective only during the tenure of the festival ?

Or why wasn’t it explained that such a programme will be an annual feature only when the Sangai Festival is held ?

A pity it is that so far the Government has not said anything on whether the visa on arrival facility would be only for a temporary period, that is during the Sangai Festival or would be something permanent, especially in the face of India’s Look East Policy.

The people have been given to understand that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has given the nod to introduce regular chartered flights between Imphal and Mandalay.

However not a word has been said on whether this is going to be a permanent fixture or a temporary measure meant only during the Sangai Festival.

Confusing it is and only the Government will know the answer. This is where it is flummoxing.

That the Government has so far not deemed it fit to make things more clear should tell a significant story.

Certainly not the time to confuse the people during a festival, that is if the Government attaches any importance to the Sangai Festival.