IMPHAL, November 21: Chief Minister O Ibobi while drawing the attention of Union MoS (in-charge) DoNER, Paban Singh Ghatowar for immediate opening of an Immigration Passport Office and Visa on Arrival facility in the state.
Giving the presidential speech at the inauguration of mega festival of state, the Manipur Sangai Festival 2013, at Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound, the state’s chief minister added that this is the starting of friendship between Myanmar and India especially Mandalay, Sagaing with Manipur and North East India.
He added the visit of the South East Asia delegates in the state will strengthen the trade, health and education sectors.
We express the heartiest welcome to all the visitors at this Manipur Sangai Festival.
He added, ‘from this day let us continue our friendship and strengthen it.’
We recalled the hospitality of Myanmar during my recent visit to Myanmar, he continued adding that he will like to give a special hospitality from the state to the Myanmar’s Chief Ministers and added that November 23 will be celebrated as Myanmar Day.
He further said, our chief guest is present here on behalf of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and External Affairs etc and will consider the situation of state in the field of tourism. He added that the Union Minister will witness that every people of state is eagerly waiting for this facilities in the state.
As citizen of India we Manipuris also have the full right to obtain this visa on arrival and Immigration Passport in the state.
In Manipur, development of infrastructures for power and tourism sectors is lacking. We will like to draw the attention of Union Minister for considering the reasonable projects in Manipur.
Chief guest Paban Singh Ghatowar said Manipur will one day be the best performing state in country if the trend continues and march peacefully to the path of development in tourism and other fields.
He said it is great pleasure to be a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival, 2013 and stated that Manipur is a jewel of India, Manipur is a little paradise on earth with a rich cultural heritage, tradition and natural beauty, he added.
Every year Manipur celebrate the Sangai Festival to showcase and promote to best of the ethnic diversity and also the traditional dances, RasLella, Pung Cholom, thangta,lai haoroaba, and tribal dances .
He said Manipur is famous for Polo which originated from the state and the rich tourism potential.
He also said that the Sangai festival also gives a platform to display it rich art and culture and demonstration of the indigenous games such as Kang, Sagol Kangjei, Heyang Tanaba and Mukna Kangjei and also for adventurous sports and eco tourism. Another attraction of the festival is indigenous food products, he said.
As guest of honour, Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Gaikhangam said that today we opened the Manipur Sangai Festival with the feat of connecting our state’s airport in the map of international aviation.
He added the Golden Myanmar Airway landed with delegates from Myanmar in the first international flight. It is very fortunate that a team from China will reach Imphal on November 29 for taking part in the Manipur Sangai Festival 2013.
Chief Minister of Sagaing Myanmar, U Thar Aye said that Myanmar’s Sagaing region and Manipur of India shares a long border from the ancient time. We have shared in trade, business, educational other sectors.
We are honoured to have strong relationship in education, business and medical sector with Manipur and Myanmar. We hope the relation will long lasting and progressive, he added.
Mandalay Chief Minister U Ye Myint said that today we witness the beauty of Manipur which they have only heard in the past. We are inspired by the innocent smiles of the people here, he said.’ Mandalay is the centre of business of Myanmar. We have cultural troupes and traditional arts groups to participate in the festival. This is a goodwill to visit to Manipur, India to strengthen the friendship of Manipur and Mandalay,” he added.