IMPHAL, October 25: The Chinjak Festival (4) – Regional, 2013 was inaugurated today at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.
The inaugural function was attended by Keishamthong A/C MLA L Ibomcha; Entrepreneurs Associates, Kohima coordinator (CEO) Neichute Doulo; KK Chhetry (IAS retd) and Director Art and Culture, Dr K Sobita Devi as the chief guest, special guests and president respectively.
Complementing on the organizing of such festival, Neichute Doulo said that the festival specially the ‘regional’ edition can bring the two neighbouring states of Manipur and Nagaland closer.
He said the festival has shown that the two are natural partners and living together in a setup.
The festival will come a long way globally and is a positive step towards addressing all problems between the two states, he said.
The festival will encourage economic development and promote the indigenous food of the region, he said.
Continuing his address, he said the festival can take the indigenous food of the region to a higher level he said before adding that the regions entrepreneurs should encourage and organize more such festivals.
The festival has also provided a chance for the many stalls opened in the festival to expose and showcase the delicacies of Nagaland, he said.
The local rice of Mon district in Nagaland can be stored for around 50 days without spoiling it, he said and the Lotha’s hot delicacy is its Manchurian which though unknown to the Lotha local is actually from China.
Meanwhile, Keishamthong MLA L Ibomcha appealed to the concern Agriculture and Horticulture department to discuss the threats on the food items, and vegetation of Manipur; and further discussed the need to safeguard
Chief guests of the function, L Ibomcha, MLA Keishamthong appealed to the concern department Agriculture and Horticulture together discuss about threat and exiting food item, textile and vegetation of Manipur.
He said there is a need for protection and safeguarding of the local indigenous produces.
He cited registration of the local produces as means of protecting the indigenous products of the state.
During the inaugural day of the festival, an indigenous dish – rice served with pork-of the Ayong Koyat of Mon district of Nagaland attracted the most customers.
Other dishes which attracted people today were the Akhoni and Samtu dishes of Nagaland.
The extreme taste of the two dishes was well accepted by the people of the state who themselves are accustomed to similar tastes.
A stall owner, Honi Tolli from Nagaland said though it is her first time in Manipur, she is liking it.
She said the people are very good and warm-hearted.
She said on her first day at the festival, her stall was able to sell only for Rs 500-600; and expressed her hope that the number of customers will eventually increase.
She also added that Akhuni which is very popular in Nagaland will get the same response in Manipur.
Managing Director, board of Chinjak festival, Kh Athouba said this is the 4th edition of the festival.
He said this year the festival is about the indigenous food items of the entire region and hopes to promote and encourage the food items to national and international standards.
Altogether there are 42 stalls in the festival, four from Nagaland one from Meghalaya and one from Assam and the others from Manipur.
All nine districts of the state have their own stalls selling not just food items but also handicraft and handloom, he said.
He continued that the 20 stalls which sell their wares the most will get chances to participate at the National Food Festival in Delhi which will be held next year in February.