Manipur Sangai Festival kicks off

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 21 : After a two-year hiatus, the 12th edition of Manipur Sangai Festival 2025 was opened today amid loud voices of objection and vehement protest.
This year’s Sangai Festival will be celebrated under the theme “Festival of Oneness” at several venues spread across Imphal, Bish-nupur and Senapati districts.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla opened the festival at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) this evening amid a glittering ceremony.
Even though Hapta Kangjeibung and BOAT were illuminated with dazzling lights, the number of visitors was sparse as compared to the previous editions of the festival.
With many CSOs and a large section of the people, particularly IDPs voicing strong objection against holding Sangai Festival under the prevailing situation, multi-layered security arrangements were put in place around BOAT and Hapta Kangjeibung.
The opening days of the previous editions of Manipur Sangai Festival drew huge crowds but the crowd this evening was quite sparse, and the crowd was largely made up of security personnel and Government officials.
Most of the stalls opened at Hapta Kangjeibung are of Government departments. The number of private stalls is quite limited.
After officially opening the 12th edition of Manipur Sangai Festival, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla visited the stalls.
This was followed by an elaborate opening ceremony at BOAT.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Governor said that Manipur Sangai Festival is not basically about entertainment but it is also a platform for showcasing the State’s rich culture and reviving the economy.
The festival will provide immense opportunities to artisans, entrepreneurs, hospitality sector, youth and the people, Ajay Kumar Bhalla said. Apart from promoting tourism, the festival will create employment in several allied sectors, he said.
The State Government has been focusing on developing the tourism sector, particularly opening homestay facilities and development of district level tourism circuits. Manipur has immense potential in the tourism sector, the Governor said.
Celebrating the festival for 10 days is not the end. The festival will project the economy and future of Manipur, he said.
The Governor called upon all the people to reaffirm  the commitment to oneness, harmony and collective development.
Saying that the Government is deeply concerned with the suffering of IDPs, Ajay Kumar Bhalla said that several measures have been initiated for rehabilitation and resettlement in phased-manner, financial assistance and reconstruction of houses.
Sanctions have been made for construction of 8000 houses and funds released during the PR administration, he said.
He also appealed to all the people of Manipur to come and take part in the festival.
He also hailed the artistes of JN Manipur Dance Academy for their choreographic presentation ‘Pari Tompokpa’  based on conservation of Sangai at the opening ceremony     .
MLAs Th Biswajit, Th Basanta Kumar, Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and many other high ranking officials too attended the opening ceremony.
The 10-day festival will feature film festival, literature festival, Shumang Leela, indigenous sports, cultural dance and music, adventure sports, international polo tournament, music festival, Cherry Blossom festival, Miss Sangai, boat race etc.