IMPHAL, January 27: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh presented blankets to 12 selected village chiefs from the five hill districts including two from Sadar Hills during the beating the retreat ceremony today at the 1st Manipur Rifles ground.
The Chief Minister also distributed prizes to the winners of the Republic Day march past parade.
In the uniformed category, the Manipur Jail contingent bagged the first position, the Civil Police Imphal West (Female) contingent came second and the BSF Manipur bagged the third position.
Among the NCC groups, Sainik School, Imphal secured the first position, NCC senior Air Wing came in second with the 11th Manipur Battalion NCC Senior Boys coming in the third position.
The National Sports Academy (NSA) boys and girls begged the first and second spots respectively in the school category with Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy and Ibotonsana Girls Higher Secondary School sharing the third spot.
The GP Women`™s College team begged the first position in the college category, while the DM College of Arts (girls) came in the second position while the contingents of DM College of Science (boys) and Imphal College shared the third position.
The Pipe Band of the 40 Assam Rifles of 9 Sect AR of Hq IGAR (S) came in first in the Bands category, while 2nd Manipur Rifles and the MPTC contingents shared the second position. The band of the Forest department begged the third position in the category.
The IFCD department tableau was adjudged the best tableau with the National Rural health Mission display bagging the second spot while the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj tableau and Sarva Siksha Abhiyan tableau sharing the third spot.
The Manipur State Aids Control Society, MACS bagged the first position for the best gate, while the Commerce and Industries department bagged the second spot. The Forest department bagged the third position.
For the cultural presentation, the Khuringmul Cultural Dance Troupe, Chandel bagged the first position, the Star Musical Centre, Khurai came in second while, the dance troupe from Ukhrul, Sikhai Khullen Dance Troupe came in third.
Meanwhile, special prizes were also presented to the chief engineer (PWD) Manipur, chief engineer (PHED), chief engineer (IFCD), commandant 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles, managing director Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited, MSPDCL, secretary All Manipur Band Parties Association, 9th Indian Reserve Battalion (Mahila) Band, PG Singsit CO 8th Indian Reserve Battalion, Wheel Chair Platoon (differently able person), ex-servicemen contingent and president of the All Manipur Women`™s and Girls Arts and State Committee.
The department of Tribal Affairs and Hills Manipur also presented Rs 20000 each to the cultural troupes participating in the 66th Republic Day celebration.
Meanwhile, a combination band including the Manipur Female Police Band, Manipur Police Band and the Assam Rifles Band also displayed a band performance during today`™s ceremony.
Another highlight of the day was a dance troupe competition which was participated by one each troupes from each of the districts of the State and one from Sadar Hills.
The troupes are M Ningthoupham Cultural Dance Troop from Senapati, Institute of Contemporary Art, Thoubal, Khoirok Cultural Troop of Khoirok Village, Sadar Hills; Chingu Thangjing Women`™s Cultural Artists Association, Bishnupur; Khuringmul Tarao Dance Troop, Chandel; Sri Sri Radha Govindo Seva Dol, Imphal West; Mandeu Youth Club, Tamenglong; Star Musical Centre, Imphal East; Kom Cultural Dance and Research Centre, Churachanpur and Sihai Khullen Dance Troop, Ukhrul.
The Imphal West troupe bagged the first position, Kom Cultural Dance and Research Centre bagged the second position while the Sihai Khullen Dance Troupe bagged the third position.
The first, second and third position holders were awarded with Rs 25000, Rs 20000 and Rs 15000 with mementos.
Today`™s beating the retreat ceremony was also attended by deputy Chief Minister, ministers and higher ranking officials of the State.