TAMENGLONG, Nov 18 (NNN): The ninth edition of the State Level Orange Festival will be organized on December 14 and 15 at Mini Stadium Tamenglong district headquarters.
A decision in this regards was taken by the State level organizing Committee yesterday, according to Ramkung Pamei who is the convenor of Media and Publicity of the organising committee.
Vungzalian Valte Parliamentary Secretary Horticulture and CADA will also attend the Orange Festival 2012 as one of the Guests of Honor.
Ramkung Pamei stated that Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam and former Union home secretary GK Pillai will grace the occasion as chief guest, function president and guest of honour respectively.
Olympic Games medalist MC Mary Kom is being approached to attend the program as a special guest, said Ramkung Pamei.
As tradition, the celebration will see different interesting events like the traditional games and sports, orange eating competition, best orange competition, Orange Queen contest and various entertainment programs. Different artistes from without and outside the state are being contacted for entertainment events besides the cultural dance troupes from every district of the state.
In place of the former practice of organizing a seminar for orange growers, a field study trip will be organized for the orange farmers this year.
Handsome cash prizes have been announced for various competitions and contests.
Rs. 3 lakhs, 2 lakhs and 1 lakh has been earmarked for Best Orange, second and third prize winners respectively. While, for Orange queen contest the prizes will remain as that of last year`s with Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 75,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively for Orange Queen, 1st runner up and second runner up respectively. Moreover, there will be five sub- titles of Rs. 10,000 each.
Hectic preparation has started for smooth conduct of the annual extravaganza that denotes Tamenglong district, according to the media and publicity convenor The 40 km stretch of Tamenglong- Sangrung road which is under very bad shape is under renovation under BRTF in view of the festive season.
Moreover, the organizing committee appeals all concern not to resort to any form of bandh or blockade which may disrupt the festival but to extend cooperation for successful organization of the festival.