By Lanchamei Golmei
IMPHAL, November 28: `There are no separate gates for the differently-abled persons. The extra tight security system as well as traffic regulation are added woes for people like me, for we too have to walk at least one kilometre to reach the venue from the first security cordon`, said Md Yusuf, a differently-abled participant of the Sangai Festival.
Talking with this reporter, Yusuf, who is also the general secretary of the Disabled Development Association Manipur, DDAM said that he had to face lots of inconveniences in order to get a stall at the festival venue.
He also lamented that there is no separate exit or entry gate for the differently-abled persons, although this has been made mandatory by law for organiser of any public event or function.
`The organiser in future should make it a point to make proper arrangements for the differently-abled persons prior to the festival. If they cannot make arrangement for such persons in festivals to come, they are going to discourage many innovative people from showcasing their talents and creativity in the festival`, Yusuf said.
Another stall owner, Mutua Bahadur, a well-known private curator of the State pointed out that the intent of his stall is to make the common people understand the unique and rich cultural heritage of the State, and also to show to the world the State`™s variegated but composite culture.
He opined that the section for Explore Manipur would have been much better if the area/section is allocated only to showcase the unique cultures of Manipur instead of mixing up with other commercial stalls.
He also said that there are many more of Manipur that could have been showcased but as the space he was allotted is limited, he had to contend with a limited edition.
He also informed that his stall is sponsored by the Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur and this is the first time the government is extending such generosity in the Sangai Festival.
It may be mentioned that Mutua`™s stall is within the Explore Manipur Section showcasing different communities`™ handloom fabric, ornaments, instruments maintained and preserved at the Mutua Museum, Keishampat Imphal.
It is also worth mentioning that the festival has been celebrated in the past as Tourism Festival but since 2010 it was renamed as Sangai Festival, and each year its popularity amongst the people has been growing. This year, lakhs of people have been thronging the festival venue every day.
The festival has also become the appropriate forum for start up enterprises to introduce their innovative ideas to the public, and also a common platform for various communities of the State to come together, but a lot still remains to be improved, stated a keen observer of the festival.