IMPHAL, November 17: Ambassador of Norway to India, Ambassador of China to India, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner, a Minister and a first Secretary from the Japanese Embassy and a Minister Counsellor from Indonesia have given their confirmation to attend the upcoming Sangai Festival.
Informing this to media persons at a press meet held this afternoon Chief Secretary O Nabakishore further said cultural troupes from Thailand, two artisans from Sri Lanka and president of Rajabhat University of Surin province in Thailand have also given their confirmation to attend the festival.
DoNER secretary Naveen Verma has also confirmed to visit Manipur during the fest. He will come on November 23 and will return the next day, he said.
Commerce secretary Rita A Teaotia will also visit here on November 24 and will return back the next day.
Some new items in the list which have been added this year include the huts showcasing the lifestyles and culture of various ethnic tribes of the State, an International Film Festival at MFDC and Shumang Leela programmes at Iboyaima Sumang Leela Sanglen, the Chief Secretary said.
Shillong Choir from Meghalaya; Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland will also be performing during Sangai fest, he said.
In the exhibition gallery, artifacts and photos of the World War II will also be displayed.
Nabakishore said chief secretaries of all the North Eastern States of India have been invited on November 24. There will be a conference on how to develop trade between India and Myanmar on this day, he added.
Teams from USA, UK, Australia and Thailand will play in the International Polo tournament which will commence from November 22.
The Governor of Manipur will be the chief guest of the inaugural function of Sangai Festival on November 21 and Chief Minister of Manipur will be the chief guest of the closing function, he said.
He also informed that Sanjenthong will be inaugurated tomorrow morning.
Tourism secretary Nidhi Mani Tripathi supplementing to the Chief Secretary said there will be theatre festival at Maharaj Chandrakirti Auditorium from November 22 to 28 where Manipur’s dance drama the dancing dear known as Keibulamjao will be displayed.
There will be cultural programme exhibiting in the main campus at Hapta Kangjeibung during day time from 2 pm to 4:30 pm.
There will be around 286 stalls, out of which 38 stalls have been dedicated as food stalls, 15 to 20 stalls have be allotted to the government departments and sponsors who are partnering with the Tourism department, she informed.
There will be a cycle rally tomorrow or day after tomorrow for publicity under the theme “Go Green,” she added.