Imphal, December 14 2009: The manipur Tourism Festival 2009 organised by Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, which was scheduled to conclude on December 19, will conclude on December 20.December 19 is the day of polling for Yaiskul assembly constituency bye-election.

Announcing this, Link Commissioner, Government of Manipur, KK Chhetri today told newspersons that a great number of people come to see the festival.

A woman tourist from Switzerland has been recorded to have visited the festival this time.

He said, three stalls from Bangladesh and one food stall and extreme sports from Thailand are also taking part in the festival.

A ten member cultural troupe from Myanmar will also be arriving at Imphal tomorrow to present cultural programmes at the festival, Link Commissioner, KK Chhetri said.

He further said that with a view to easing the traffic congestion on the palace road leading to the venue of the festival, cooperation of the Imphal East SP has been sought, and traffic policemen have been deployed to control traffic.

However, improving the bad condition of the road is the responsibility of the PWD, the Link Commissioner said.

In order to avoid all these embarassing inconveniences during the next year's festival, which will be known as Sangai Festival, the Tourism Department will join hands with other departments concerned before holding the festival, the officer said.

Clarifying the report published in this newspaper yesterday about the ill-maintained loos at the festival venue, Chhetri said that proper toilets for men and women are kept separately, and water and mugs are also kept properly for the visitors to use.

However, since civic sense is lacking among the visitors, they do not use the toilets and other materials properly.

Instead, they make the toilets dirty, Chhetri said.

Regarding the dusty ground at the venue, he said water tankers are drawing water from the river and water is being sprinkled on the ground to control dust, he said.

Tomorrow's (December 15) programmes of the festival include traditional dances of Kom, Aimol and Chiru tribes, Musical Ensemble, Nokphade, presentation of indigenous custumes, etc.

On December 16, Manipur musical evening will be held; on December 17, folk dance of Tangkhul, Moirangsai, dances from Chandel, Dhol Cholom, modern dance, Ras, etc.

will be shown.

On December 18, Phunal Maring dance, Pung Cholom, Kabui and Manipuri traditional dances, Thang-Ta, etc.

will be shown.

BMX cycle shows from Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, China and Singapore will be shown till December 17 .

Sitar and Tabla sangeet will be demonstrated on December 16 and 17 .

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