IMPHAL, November 15: As part of a promotional plan conceived by the tourism department to put Manipur Sangai Festival in the roadmap of world tourism and exhibit the tourism potential of the state, the Government of Manipur have invited various South East Asian countries to attend the festival.
An official source disclosed that in response to the state’s overtures many dignitaries from China, Bangladesh and Myanmar have accepted the invitation to attend the festival and necessary arrangements have been made for accommodation of the guests.
The Chinese delegates will be led by Chen Jiayuan, Vice-Chairmen of the CPPCC Zhejiang committee, China and accompanied by a representative from Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, Chen Junchao, third secretary, political.
Other members of the delegation included Wang Xifa, Deputy Secretary-General of the CPPCC Zhejiang provincial committee; Ye Jianguo, Deputy Director-General of Zhejiang Provincial Tourism Bureau; Yu Xihua, Deputy Director-General Department of Foreign Affair of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province; Hu Yongguang, Director of the General Office of Zhejaing Provincial People’s Government and Fu Xiaowen an English interpreter of Zhejiang Provincial Foreign Affairs Department.
A 101-member Myanmar delegation from Mandalay and Sagaing regions of Myanmar including three members of Indian Embassy of Myanmar will be attending the festival.
The delegation will be led by Ye Myint, Chief Minister of Mandalay Region Government; Thar Aye, Chief Minister of Sagaing Region Government, and their ministers and MLAs. The two Chief Ministers of Mandalay and Sagaing will stay at Manipur’s Raj Bhawan.
The nine members from Mandalay region comprise of Professor Personnel Security Officer to CM, vice-chairman, External Affairs in charge, Executive, Journalist Showroom in charge Assistance Showroom in Charge.
While the 15 officials from Sagaing Region will include the Regional Medical officer; Regional Manager, Senior Officer Senior Doctor, Professor Head of Department of Monywa University Sagaing among others.
At the same time, exhibitors from both Mandalay and Sagaing, will also include two journalists – editor of Kumudra/modern journal, Mandalay and another from the Voice, Mandalay, Sport and 16 members cultural troupes from Mandalay and Sagaing on and businessman. They will stay at Hotel Imphal said the source.
A five member media team including three members from Sky Net Broadcasting Mandalay, one each from Mandalay Daily, Mandalay and MR TV Broadcasting Mandalay will also join the delegation.
Among the South East Asia teams, the Ambassador of India to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhyaya, Sailas Thangal Charge-de-Affiar of India to Myanmar, Dr Madan Sethi Consul General of India to Myanmar they will be staying with the Assam Rifles.
Meanwhile, the High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to India Tariq A Karim, also confirmed his participation at the Sangai Festival, said that source adding that he will be undertaking an official visit to Dibrugarh, Assam and Imphal, Manipur from November 22 to 26. During the visit he would attend the North East Business Summit to be held at Dibrugarh, Assam and Manipur Sangai Festival as guest of honour to be organized by Government of Manipur said a source.
