Sangai Festival 2014

During the inauguration, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh urged the people of Manipur to maintain peace and avoid violence to support tourism. He stated that the government had been developing infrastructure at tourist sites across the state. He highlighted Manipur's strategic location under India's Look East Policy, noting that while a flight from Kolkata to Kunming, China takes about two and a half hours, it takes only one and a half hours from Imphal.^[1]

He also emphasized the importance of friendly relations with neighboring countries like Myanmar and Thailand for trade development. He stated that peace in the region was necessary for tourism growth and overall development.^[1]

The inclusion of water sports at Loktak Lake, the introduction of the International Polo Tournament, and events related to the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) were seen as welcome additions, offering variety beyond the usual focus on handicraft and handloom exhibitions.^[5][6]

The Sanjen Thong Bridge was an architectural landmark to attract domestic and international tourists. Its parts were to be built outside Manipur and assembled by Simplex Project Limited of Kolkata, with some components sourced from France.^[7]

Artisan Oinam Mangi, a nationally awarded stone sculptor from Toupokpi Village in Bishnupur district, showcased his collection of stone sculptures at the Manipur Sangai Festival 2014, organized by the Manipur Tourism Department. His works included figures like Khambana Kao Phaba, Irom Sharmila, and a farmer tilling the field with bulls, earning public acclaim and increasing demand for his sculptures.^[8]