Inaugurating Manipur Sangai Festival, Prez Kovind says Manipur is India’s window to South East Asian countries

NewsBharati    22-Nov-2017
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Imphal, November 22: Manipur is India’s window to South East Asian countries to take up the Act East Policy, said President Ram Nath Kovind while inaugurating Manipur Sangai Festival. While Inuagurating the festival President Kovind said that ‘Festival is the perfect showcase for cultural diversity and richness of Manipur, comprising its various communities and beautiful social fabric.’ 

President Ram Nath Kovind was on his North East tour. Speaking about Manipur’s Loktak lake, Prez Kovind said that ‘Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast, with the only floating National Park on our planet, is a paradise for tourists.’

 

Recalling the martyrs of 1891 war, Prez paid tribute after visiting the INA Memorial Site. He said that Moirang occupies a unique space in the history of the country’s freedom struggle and in the Second World War as well. The martyrs of 1891 are heroes who will always be remembered for their contribution to the cause of our freedom and human liberty. For every Indian the great Bir Tikendrajit and his comrades are cherished icons, he added.

 

Also spoke over Mary Kom, calling her as his favourite President Kovind said that Not just my favourite; our favourite, the whole country’s favourite – is the magnificent Mary Kom, Manipur’s very own Olympic medallist. Further he also said that ‘Manipur is the heartland of Indian football. In the Under-17 World Cup hosted by India, eight of the 21 members of our national team were from Manipur.’

While in Assam President spoke on the Act East Policy, Prez Kovind said that through the Act East Policy of the Government of India, Assam, the states of the North-Eastern region are being connected to South-East Asia. With this transformation, there is tremendous potential for the growth of business activities of the entire South and Southeast Asia, along with India's northeast region.

Earlier Citing Arunachal as the ‘Jewel’ of the northeastern region, President Ram Nath Kovind received the classic ceremonial welcome from the students of the state dancing to the rhythms of traditional songs. On his 4 day tour to northeast, he arrived for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh as the President of India. Addressing the valedictory function of the completion of 40 years of Vivekananda Kendra, President hailed Arunachal Pradesh saying that if the Northeast is the crown of the country, the state is the “jewel in the crown”.