Manipur: Cherry Blossom cum Flower Festival gets underway

Guwahati: Manipur Cherry Blossom cum Flower Festival got underway at the picturesque Mao Gate, a hill station along the Manipur-Nagaland border.

The festival was formally inaugurated by Manipur Minister of Works, Power Th Biswajit on Thursday.The theme for the festival is ‘Exploring Nature’s Wonder’

The festival is being organised as a part of 10 days Manipur Sangai Festival which is underway at Imphal since Wednesday.

The three-day festival includes camping, local food stalls, flower and vegetable stalls, cherry tree lightings, competition & exhibition, etc.

Addressing the formal inaugural function, Biswajit said the present government is the people’s government, and that the understanding ‘we see among the people today is all because of the efforts of the government and the people’.

He further said, There will be misunderstandings and disappointments; however, the present government firmly believes that instead of fighting, if we can discuss and talk over it, we could bring better things for the society,

Stating that the Cherry Blossom is now a part of the Sangai Festival, Biswajit also said that the festival we will showcase the scenic beauty, landscapes of Manipur, besides the diverse culture and traditions of the Manipuri people.

The Minister also stressed that it is the right time to explore resources of the state and promote it at the international level. He also mentioned that the festival is not just a simple festival, but will bind the hearts of the people of Manipur apart from promoting and encouraging the idea of oneness.

While appealing to the the people for active participation in the festival and showing unity to the world, Bishwajit said, “Let us not waste time fighting each other and arguing among ourselves, because, if we continue to do so ultimately we would be the only losers.”

Delivering the welcome address, Public Health Engineering Minister of Manipur, Losii Dikho thanked the government led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh for observing the Cherry Blossom Festival as part of the Manipur Sangai Festival and for celebrating the festival with the entire State.

The inaugural function was also attended by MLAs K Leishiyo (Phungyar), K Robindro (Mayang Imphal), Senapati Deputy Commissioner Somorjit Salam among others.

It may be worth mentioning here that first edition of the Manipur Cherry Blossom Festival was held under the aegis of Mao Flower Growers’ Association and Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development, a central institute in Manipur at Kayinu Village, Mao Gate on November 26, 2017.

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