February 17, 2023 - NewsHub: Breaking Stories

Chief Minister N Biren graced the closing function of the 1st North East Aero-Sports Hot Air Balloons and Para-Motor Fiesta, 2023 at Phubala. The event organized by the Manipur Aero Sports Association (MASA) in association with Khasia Ventures and sponsored by the Tourism Department with technical support from Adventure Wing, Indian Army was inaugurated on February 11 . Speaking at the closing ceremony, N Biren proposed opening of a permanent aero sports facility after exploring its feasibility and finding a suitable location.

1st North East Aero-Sports Hot Air Balloons

He thanked the Indian Army for providing technical support to the event and further highlighted that Manipur is suitable for such adventure sports activities. Today, Manipur is also becoming a tourist hotspot, the Chief Minister said highlighting the INA Headquarters at Moirang, Sangai Ethnic Park and the upcoming G-20 events in the State.

He also appealed to the people living along the highway to accord a warm and traditional welcome to the visiting delegates of the G-20 event who would include 50 foreign delegates. The closing function was also attended by YAS Minister Govindas Konthoujam, PHE Minister L Susindro Meitei, MP (Rajya Sabha) Leisemba Sanajaoba, Moirang MLA Th Shanti, LDA Chairman M Asnikumar and officials of the 57 Mountain Division, among others.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh also inaugurated Loktak Lake Front Garden at Sendra in the presence of Rajya Sabha Member Sanajaoba Leishemba, Ministers K Govindas, L Susindro, Th Basanta Singh, LDA Chairman M Asnikumar Singh and other Government officials. The Loktak Lake Front Garden would host the delegates of G-20 events and provide them with an opportunity to experience Loktak Lake from a very close range. Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction at the preparations being made for the G20 events.

He appealed to the people for cooperation in restoring the precious ecosystem of Loktak and its associated wetlands. “The lake front is going to play a major role in making Loktak Lake more accessible to tourists and promote eco-tourism in the State”, Biren said. He also stressed that the State Government has been taking extensive measures for the revival, complete rejuvenation and conservation of Loktak Lake and its associated wetlands.

LDA Chairman M Asnikumar said that the LDA has been working on a war footing to conserve Loktak through participatory processes. He also appealed to the fishing and catchment area communities for their participation in the conservation efforts of the Government to fulfil the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM N Biren to make Loktak an iconic wetland site of the South Asian region.

The Chief Minister also inspected the Sangai Ethnic Park at Moirang Khunou and INA Headquarters Heritage Site at Moirang. The park is a major destination of the G-20 delegates, who will be reaching the State on Friday.

Article

State to host G 20 delegates

February 17, 2023September 13, 2023 - by Yenda News Agency

As a part of the G20 Summit, the State would be hosting a B20 conference at Imphal tomorrow. Briefing media persons at the conference hall of the Old Secretariat today, Education Minister Th Basanta Kumar said that the B20 is the official dialogue forum of the G20 countries.

By James Khangenbam Imphal Updated Feb 17, 2023

He said that the B20 conference scheduled on February 17 would be graced by the Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Som Prakash, Minister of State, Commerce & Industries and Dr RK Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, External Affairs, Government of India in the presence of senior State and Central Government officials. He said that the B20 conference at Imphal would witness the convergence of a host of overseas delegates from 23 Nations representing Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Chad, Canada, China, France, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, United States and United Kingdom.

These Nations produce about 85 percent of the world’s GDP. Besides the delegates from these countries, visiting dignitaries include 26 overseas business delegates and 24 diplomats including Ambassadors from these countries and India. Trade and business delegations and representatives from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Japan and Australia will also participate in the programme, Basanta Kumar said. As a part of the programme, the Chief Minister would facilitate Business to Business and Business to Government meetings.

Overseas business delegates would get the opportunity to interact with local industries during the B2B and with the Government in the B2G session for potential investment, collaboration and tie-ups. Over 100 B2B and B2G queries have been generated including request for interaction with Government departments -Health and Family Welfare, Skill Development, Sports, Urban Development, Textiles, Finance & Taxation, Tourism, Industries & Commerce, IT, Agriculture and Fisheries, he added.

Capitalising on the presence of a large contingent of international delegates, the Government of Manipur is making elaborate arrangements not only to showcase investment and partnership opportunities in the State but also provide a unique experience to the visiting delegates with an exposure to Manipur’s culture, cuisine, art, festivities, and scenic beauty, the Education Minister said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Tourism Pradeep Kumar Jha said that the security detailed for the delegates are all women police personnel and this is aimed at showcasing women empowerment. He also mentioned that all the delegates are expected to visit the renowned Ima Market. He further made an appeal to the people of Manipur to cooperate and give their best efforts to make this historic event successful. Representatives of the Confederate of Indian Industries (CII), Director, IPR and officials from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) also participated at the press conference.

Article

Seed Sowing festival of the Nagas celebrated

February 17, 2023March 24, 2023 - by Yenda News Agency

By James Khangenbam Imphal Updated Feb 17, 2023

Nagas in Manipur celebrated Lui-Ngai-Ni, the seed sowing festival on 15^th February. The State level celebration function was held at Kapaam village in Chandel district under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) with the theme “One culture, one destiny” Attending the celebration function as chief guest, Manipur Water Resources Minister, Awangbow Newmai stressed the need for preserving culture and tradition which he termed as the priceless gifts of forefathers.

“We need to preserve our culture. Not only songs and dances, we should also preserve habits and culture. Let us keep up all the good cultures and habits of our forefathers. It is the priceless gifts of our forefather,” he said. Asserting that Nagas are peace loving people, the Minister urged the people to show it through their deeds. “Let us spread the message of peace by way of respecting other communities” . Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, recalled the efforts to bring into shape the ‘Lui-Ngai-Ni’ as a common festival of Nagas living in the State of Manipur.

He himself was actively involved in shaping the festival around 30 years ago, added the Minister.The concept of the seed sowing festival was consolidated after a great deal of studies and consultations and christened as ‘Lui-Ngai-Ni’ in the year 1986 and its celebration took shape in 1987, he added.

Seed Sowing festival of the Nagas celebrated.

Many sitting Naga MLAs, Outer Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr Lorho S Pfoze, ex-Ministers, ex-Parliamentarians and ADC members also attended the occasion. In his presidential address, Ng Lorho president United Naga Council said that the celebration of the festival under the theme “One culture, one destination” is to show “oneness in diversity” Lorho observed that westernization has deeply inflicted on the culture of the Nagas, and added that the festival aims to imbibe the fundamental principle of social norms and value system.

“We aspire to have a Nation where law and justice is the rule of law and where the lowly are secured,” the UNC president added.The celebration of the festival is also a political message to a common destination and to rekindle the past glory, according to the UNC chief.

In today’s event, various activities like folk songs, cultural dances, blowing of Lui-Ngai-Ni trumpet, beating of drums and lighting of Lui-Ngai-Ni fire were performed by different Naga tribes.The blessings of seeds were invoked by the chief of Kapaam village. Transport Minister Khasim Vashum, Chandel AC MLA SS Olish, Tamenglong AC MLA Janghemlung Panmei, Ukhrul AC MLA Ram Muivah, Karong AC MLA J Kumo Sha and other public leaders including ex-MLAs and ex-ADC Members also attended the function.

Article

6th Women Intl Polo Tournament kicks off

February 17, 2023September 11, 2023 - by Yenda News Agency

By James Khangenbam Imphal Updated Feb 16, 2023

Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated the 6th Women International Polo Tournament today at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal on 15^th February. The six days tournament organized by Manipur Tourism in association with All Manipur Polo Association (AMPA) is participated by five teams – South Africa, Luxembourg, India (IPA), India (Manipur-A) and India (Manipur-B). Addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony, N Biren Singh welcomed the participating teams including Indian Women Polo teams and international teams.

Mentioning that the Women’s International Polo Tournament is being organised at Mapal Kangjeibung every year, he stated that the 6th edition is being organised after a gap of two years due to the Covid pandemic. The Chief Minister continued that Manipur is famous for ‘Polo’ and the State is regarded as the birthplace of modern polo.

Adding that the people of Manipur are proud of their forefathers for having gifted this game to the world, N Biren said that holding such a tournament would not only help in projecting the State as the birthplace of the game, but would also serve as a platform to promote the importance of preserving the game and the endangered Manipuri pony.

N Biren further stated that Sagol Kangjei is not just a game as it symbolises the role of Manipuri pony and the techniques of warfare of the Manipuri soldiers in defending the sovereignty of Manipur during the olden days.

Manipuri ponies had always been a part of the State’s civilization and its culture, he added. Mentioning that Chief Minister’s Sagol Kangei Championship had also been started during the Sangai Festival 2022, he added that the uniqueness of the game is the use of horse, which is wild in nature.

The Chief Minister continued that considering the importance of preserving the endangered “pony”, the Manipur Police Department had introduced the Sagol Police. A part from this, 10 horses will be reared at each Battalion of Manipur police, he added.

Informing that breeding grounds for pony had been developed at Pangei and Lamphelpat, he appealed to the pony breeders to take their horses to the breeding ground. Concluding his speech, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the tournament would go a long way in establishing the State as a polo tourism destination in India.

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that different Sagol Kangjei and Polo tournaments had been started at various places of the State to promote the game and preserve the endangered horse breed.

He also said that the people of Manipur should appreciate the Chief Minister for taking up many initiatives to protect the pony. The Minister continued that many teams from different countries had come to the State and participated in polo tournaments organized on different occasions.

Day: February 17, 2023

1st North East Aero-Sports Hot Air Balloons concluded at Loktak Lake

1st North East Aero-Sports Hot Air Balloons

State to host G 20 delegates

Seed Sowing festival of the Nagas celebrated

Seed Sowing festival of the Nagas celebrated.

6th Women Intl Polo Tournament kicks off

N Biren further stated that Sagol Kangjei is not just a game as it symbolises the role of Manipuri pony and the techniques of warfare of the Manipuri soldiers in defending the sovereignty of Manipur during the olden days.