Sangai Festival 2018
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Manipur Sangai Festival 2018 (ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ ꯁꯥꯉꯥꯏ ꯐꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯤꯚꯦꯜ ꯲꯰꯱꯸) was inaugurated by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 21 November 2018 in Imphal, Manipur. It is the biggest tourism festival of the state, showcasing Manipur's art, culture, food, and traditions.[1] The ten-day event was attended by several national and international dignitaries and featured cultural programs, exhibitions, and competitions.[2]
The festival was held from 21 November to 30 November 2018. This edition of the festival was organized across three venues — Imphal, Mao (in Senapati district), and Keibul Lamjao (in Bishnupur district),[3] covering both hill and valley districts. It was the first time in the history of the festival that events were held at multiple venues.[4]
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh inspected the festival sites before the opening and announced that the festival would make history for its scale and diversity. A total of 99 stalls from 10 foreign countries and 112 stalls from India were opened during the event.[1]
The festival was attended by several international guests, including
- Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand,[5][6][3] and
- Myint Naing, Chief Minister of the Sagaing Region and Mandalay Region of Myanmar.[5][3]
- For the first time, the U.S. Ambassador to India also attended the Manipur Sangai Festival.[6]
Sponsorship and participation
The Manipur State Cooperative Bank Limited (MSCB) sponsored Rs. 5 lakhs for the event, becoming the second Diamond Sponsor after Panthoibi Housing Finance Company Limited, which also contributed Rs. 5 lakhs.[6]
To ensure participation from government bodies, the Directorate of Trade, Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur allotted 30 stalls at Hapta Kangjeibung and 35 stalls at Lamboi Khongnangkhong for various government and semi-government departments, public sector undertakings, and paramilitary forces.[7]