To be called Sangai Festival from next year
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 04 2009:
The annual State Tourism Festival of the state organised by the Tourism Department, Government of Manipur shall be christened as Sangai Tourism Festival from next year onward and the same would be held from December 10 to 19 annually.
Addressing a press meet today at the Conference Hall of Imphal Hotel here, Link Commissioner of Tourism, KK Chhetri said, the government has begun taking up possible measures to promote the Sangai Festival across the globe.
He said, Tourism Festival will be held from December 10 to 19 this year at Hapta Kangjeibung.
The main highlights of the festival would be showing of cultural dances, displaying of traditional shawls, foods, etc.
Traditional sports like Sagol Kangjei (Polo), Arambai Langba, Kang etc will also be added as parts of the festival.
As an adventure sports and eco-tourism, Dzuko Valley in Senapati District, Siroy Hills in Ukhrul district, and Tharon Cave in Tamenglong district would be explored, he said.
KK Chhetri added that sportspersons from Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Singapore, etc will display Bicycle Motor Cross (BMX) for the first time in the state as part of extreme sports.
Many places of the state have the natural and artificial beauties which can attract various tourists from across the world, Chhetri said.
He added that tourists from other parts of the world would visit the state and tourism would be at its peak when development in all departments of the state happened.
Tourists have that sense of fear while visiting various tourist spots on seeing the place being occupied by security forces.
If the security of the tourists is ensured, the land would automatically attract tourists, he noted.
The occupation of various tourist spots by security forces would not be permanent.
A day would surely come when they have to leave the places.
The people should also have to show hospitality to tourists from outside the state.
Tourists will not like to visit the state for the second time if people lack hospitality, Chhetri observed.
The department concerned has faced problem in organisng Tourism Festival as huge amount could not be sanctioned for the purpose.
He said, around 300 stalls will be opened during the coming festival.
An eatery stall from Myanmar will participate in the coming festival.
It may be mentioned that the State Tourism Festival was organised in April this year for ten days.