Sangai Festival 2016

The **Manipur Sangai Festival 2016** () was held in Imphal, Manipur, from November 21 to November 30, 2016. It featured cultural events, exhibitions, sports, and international participation. The festival is named after the Sangai, a rare deer species found only in the Keibul Lamjao National Park of the Loktak Lake. The event was themed ‘Destination Manipur’. Visitors from over six countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Australia, the UK, Korea, Japan, attended.
There were 300 stalls, including 43 for various State government departments and 35 for handlooms.

## Attendance and crowd management

On the last day of the festival, 42,873 people visited the venue. According to officials, people began arriving in the morning, and by evening, the venue was full. The gate between the main festival venue and Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), where the closing cultural program took place, had to be closed to prevent overcrowding. The stall area was also overcrowded. In total, 237,538 people attended the 2016 edition of the Sangai Festival.

## Assam Rifles pavilion

The 6 Assam Rifles of the 9 Sector AR, under the supervision of Headquarters IGAR (South), set up an Assam Rifles Pavilion at the festival. The purpose of the pavilion was to raise awareness about employment opportunities in the force and to showcase the Assam Rifles’ contribution towards peace and harmony in Manipur.

### Theme and activities

This year, the pavilion was designed with an interactive theme. It allowed visitors to engage in one-on-one interactions about military equipment, job opportunities, and adventure and sports activities like archery and mountaineering. The pavilion became the most visited stall during the festival and attracted people of all age groups.

Students from several schools, including Churachand Higher Secondary School, Human Resource Academy, and Assam Rifles Public School, visited the pavilion. Activities and giveaways were also planned for young children.

## Notable visits

On November 28, Major General Virendra Singh, VSM, Inspector General Assam Rifles (South), visited the pavilion and interacted with visitors. Salai Lian Luai, Chief Minister of Chin State, Myanmar, also visited and praised the efforts of the Assam Rifles.

### Opening ceremony

The festival officially started at Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound. The opening ceremony was held at BOAT and attended by:

- Dr Najma Heptulla, Governor of Manipur (Chief Guest)

- Okram Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur (President)

- Kenji Hiramatsu, Japanese Ambassador to India (Guest of Honour)

- Salai Luai, Chief Minister of Chin State, Myanmar (Guest of Honour)

### Governor’s remarks

After declaring the festival open, Governor Heptulla described the event as a representation of Manipur’s rich art, culture, and natural beauty. She praised Manipur’s leadership in preserving culture and tourism in the North East. The Governor also expressed her wish to learn the Manipuri language and participate in the festival wearing traditional dress.

She spoke about the connection between Japan and Manipur, mentioning her conversation with the Japanese Ambassador’s wife about Loktak Lake and the Sangai deer. The Governor also proposed Japanese support for cleaning and preserving Loktak Lake.

### Dignitaries' tour

Before the opening, dignitaries visited the festival's theme park, heritage park, and other pavilions.

## Events

The 2016 edition of the festival featured several events, including:

- 10th Manipur International Polo Tournament 2016

- Adventure and water sports

- Indigenous games and boat race

- Asian Theatre Festival

- Shumang Leela Festival

- Ratan Thiyam's Macbeth, staged at the Shrine Play House for three days

## Chief Minister’s participation

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh stated that the main goal of the festival is to promote Manipur as an international tourism destination. He emphasized the importance of the Sangai deer, which is only found in Loktak Lake.

He spoke against frequent bandhs and blockades, calling them harmful to the image of Manipur. He criticized groups spreading false propaganda and warned against dividing the state along ethnic lines. He said that Manipur belongs to all communities and urged people to focus on peace and development.

The Chief Minister announced plans to construct a tensile roof over BOAT before the next festival. He also mentioned a PowerPoint presentation made about Manipur's power distribution at the India-UK Tech Summit, which was praised by the UK Prime Minister and supported by Prime Minister Modi.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi flagged off a rally from Koirengei Air Field during the Manipur Sangai Festival. The rally was organised by the Manipur Tourism Forum and the 2nd World War Imphal Campaign Foundation.

About 200 people joined using jeeps, motorcycles, and bicycles. They went to Maibam Lotpa Ching to pay tribute at the World War II memorial.

## Participation of Chin State, Myanmar

Salai Luai, Chief Minister of Chin State, Myanmar, shared that Manipur and Chin State have similar languages and traditions and a shared history. He said the two regions are part of India’s Act East Policy and invited Manipur delegates to Chin State's Winter Festival in October.

## Participation of the Japanese Ambassador

Kenji Hiramatsu, Japanese Ambassador to India, stated that Japan’s ties with Manipur date back to World War II. He said Japanese people remember Imphal and visit to honor Japanese soldiers who died there. He expressed hope that Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Japan would strengthen India-Japan relations.

## Preparations and security

Salai Lian Luai and a delegation of seven ministers from Chin State arrived in Imphal on the eve of the festival. They were received at Moreh Gate No. 1 by Manipur's Industries Minister K Govindas, Health Minister D Korungthang, and Chandel Deputy Commissioner Bobby Waikhom.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh returned from New Delhi and inspected the festival venue at Hapta Kangjeibung. He also reviewed stalls set up by various Government Departments. Security was strengthened in and around the venue to ensure a smooth festival launch.

A 17-member business delegation from Myanmar also arrived in Imphal by Golden Myanmar flight to attend the festival.

## Related pages

- Meitei festivals