Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, Apr 29 : Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Dr Sapam Ranjan who is also the working chairman of the scheduled Shirui Lily festival visited Ukhrul today along with Parliamentary Secretaries Leishiyo Keishing, Khashim Vashum, MLA Alfred Arthur Kangam and Tourism Secretary N Ashok Kumar to get a first hand report of the ongoing preparation for Shirui Lily festival scheduled to be held from May 16 to 20 at Ukhrul.
The team held a consultative meeting with Deputy Commissioner, SDOs, Councillors, headmen, TKS and social leaders at the DRDA conference hall, mini secretariat office complex Hamleikhong to get feedbacks and suggestions from the departments, villages and public to make the celebration a success.
Dr Ranjan said the State Government is particularly interested in promoting and showcasing the rich culture of the people and hoped that the scheduled festival will also strengthen communal harmony.
Mentioning that homestay facilities would boost economy at certain level for the people of the district, Dr Ranjan said that the State Govt would extend all possible assistance to improve homestay facilities.
The festival will provide opportunities to the visitors to visit the abode of Shirui lily and attract many visitors to witness the beauty of “our famous State flower,” he added.
Dr Ranjan claimed that immediately after the State Government announced that Shirui Lily festival will be held, the Thai Royal Embassy had evinced keen interest to visit Ukhrul. Thereafter the State Government has also decided to let a Thai stall be opened during the festival.
He further mentioned that the Chief Minister has also been relentlessly working and consulting his Ministers to make the scheduled Shirui Lily festival a grand success.
Dr Ranjan further said that it is the collective responsibility of all to make Shirui Lily festival a success.
Local MLA Alfred Arthur said that the scheduled festival will go a long way in promoting tourism in the State and this will provide the right platform to showcase the culture, handicrafts and traditional foods of the Tangkhul community to others. Moreover Tangkhuls are known for their hospitality, he added.
Shirui Lily festival is not merely a celebration but is the right platform to expose the rich heritage of the Tangkhul people, said the MLA.
Source: The Sangai Express
