Manipur Tourism 2008 exposes beauty of 'Jewel land'

New Delhi, Mar 26 (UNI) Manipur, 'the jewel land', has so many typical attractive unexplored items for tourists, which we want to show to the world with varieties of ethnic groups of Manipur speak themselves about how beautiful Manipur is, said Dr Thokchom Meinya, Member of Parliament from Inner Manipur.

Speaking as the Chief Guest in the Inaugural function of the three-day Manipur Tourism Meet 2008, here last evening, Dr Meinya said nature had endowed pleasant climate, beautiful landscape and beautiful people to Manipur. It was the land where the world famous King's game Polo (Sagol Kangjei) was born.

He said Manipuris had good hospitality every time for tourists.

There was no any incidence of harming tourists and sportspersons visited to Manipur in the past, Meinya added.

Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary (NE), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India who was the Guest of Honour said Manipur had been playing a major part in the field of cultural tourism of the country. She narrated how she was overwhelmed when the 3000 audiences were excited on seeing the performance of Pung Cholom (Drum Dance) from Manipur in the International Tourism Fair held in Berlin, last year.

Speaking at the function, Kanjilal Gaur, Executive Director of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) said the association would extend all possible help to the Government of Manipur for organising package tours to Manipur. He also appreciated the State Government's initiatives for the development of tourism in Manipur.

Earlier Secretary, Tourism Government of Manipur, B B Sharma in his welcome address has appealed to all to visit Manipur, see the beautiful things and feel the new experience.

The main theme of the meet was to project and showcase Manipur as one of the favourite tourist destination through its cultures, its unique flora and fauna and serene beauties. The meet highlighted all facets of Manipur in terms of art and culture, indigenous sports, eco and adventure tourism avenues, which are the thrust areas of Manipur as favorite tourist destinations.

The Minister of Tourism, Government of Manipur T N Haokip will be the Chief Guest at the closing function of the Manipur Tourism Meet 2008 here tomorrow. Mukesh Jagga, President of the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India will also attend the closing function as the Guest of Honour.

The three-day Manipur Tourism 2008 is organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Manipur under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

UNI BKS PY KN1902