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Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shirui Lily Festival renews hope of lasting peace in strife-torn Manipur
1 2 Guwahati: The Shirui Lily Festival recommenced in Manipur on Tuesday following a two-year interruption caused by ethnic unrest. The event celebrated two peaceful days at Ukhrul venues, commemorating 75 years since the state flower's recognition. The organisers remain optimistic that this grand celebration will elevate Manipur's position in global tourism , with Shirui Hills emerging as a primary attraction. The festival, which showcases cultural heritage , traditional arts and literature amidst natural surroundings, has brought renewed optimism to the conflict-affected state. By welcoming all communities, the Shirui Festival is promoting unity and harmony, aiming to restore Manipur's positive reputation on the global stage. The fifth edition's second day witnessed the launch of cultural shows and competitions, organised by the CSO Lily Festival Committee at Ukhrul Headquarter Ground on Wednesday. Horticulture commissioner Thaithuilung Pamei, the chief guest, highlighted how the festival celebrates both the flower and Ukhrul's cultural heritage, emphasising the importance of preserving ancestral customs. As part of the cultural show programme, folk dances were showcased by the Thoyee cultural troupe representing Aze Longphang, and the Mapum dance troupe representing Zingsho Longphang. Along with that, various performances such as tug of war and others were witnessed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The first day of the cultural extravaganza also hosted competitions such as Sao Katak, Saotheila and Javelin Throw. The Shirui Lily Literature Festival inaugural session on Wednesday was attended by students, educators, and readers from the community. Notable presence included Ashish Das, deputy commissioner, Ukhrul. Organiser Chingrimi A Shimray stressed the importance of indigenous storytelling, while tourism director Pooja Elangbam emphasised reading's role in fostering empathy. In the keynote speech by the organising team, Chingrimi A Shimray addressed the need to promote a culture of reading and curiosity, calling for more indigenous storytellers to tell more stories, as stories are medicines that can heal communities. Pooja Elangbam, director of tourism, Manipur, called for more readers, as reading nurtures empathy, connection, and kindness.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
In Manipur, famed Shirui Lily festival becomes first real test of normalcy
On Thursday, popular Imphal-based Instagram handle, Imphalgram, uploaded a video of a 'road trip' to the hill station of Ukhrul, located around 80 kilometres from the city. The video shows the creators travelling by scenic hill roads, passing by markets, and security personnel and vehicles — ubiquitous in the state for the past two years — to reach Ukhrul. There, they visit different sites of the Shirui Lily Festival, one of the two major tourism festivals organised by the Manipur government, scheduled to begin on May 20. This is the first time since the ethnic conflict broke out in the state in May 2023 that the festival is being held. After visiting the sites in Ukhrul with officials of the Manipur tourism department and meeting district administration and police officials, the video shows the creators driving back to Imphal in the evening and signing off: 'Thank you for the company, Ukhrul Police.' The comments below immediately jump to the question of security and safety: 'Can we go through roadways; is it safe; do we need to take a chopper?' Throughout the conflict, Meiteis and Kuki-Zos have been unable to safely move in areas where the other community is in the majority. The Shirui Lily Festival is held in sites in Ukhrul town and Shirui village in Ukhrul district, where the Tangkhul Naga community is in the majority. But to get there, Meiteis and other residents of the state's central Meitei-majority valley, which is surrounded by hill districts, need to travel through at least three pockets of Kuki-Zo settlements. The last instalment of the festival in 2022 saw a footfall of around 2.19 lakh, drawing visitors from different states and parts of Manipur. But the largest number of visitors were from the Meitei-majority valley. This time, the festival is being organised with a budget of Rs 6.3 crore. Pooja Elangbam, director of the Manipur tourism department, said that the Imphalgram creators were among 'influencers' and bloggers from different communities in the state invited to the site as part of a 'rigorous social media campaign' to build confidence that the journey will be safe. 'When we had our first organisational committee meeting on April 2, it was decided to constitute a security committee headed by the DGP. He assured us that the police, BSF and Army will be present along the way, and we are coordinating with the Ukhrul Superintendent of Police to ensure that the journey is safe. So far, no problems have been reported. I have been going to Ukhrul from Imphal every week, and we haven't faced any issues… Provisions are being made; how many people finally attend the festival will probably depend on the first couple of days,' she said. A moment of panic arose this week when a statement by an organisation named Kuki Zo Village Volunteer-Eastern Zone warned Meiteis against crossing Kuki-Zo areas to attend the festival. However, the Manipur Police swiftly issued a statement that no such organisation exists, and assured security for the free movement of people for the festival. The Kuki-Zo Council, based in Churachandpur, also distanced itself from the statement. Last week, Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh himself made a two-day visit to oversee security arrangements. On Saturday, the Manipur police lodged an FIR against the president of Kuki Students' Organisation, Delhi, for allegedly making a video threatening Meiteis. 'All necessary security arrangements shall be made to ensure security of people attending the Shirui festival,' the police said. Ukhrul DC Asish Das said the administration has made different 'strategies' to address the security issue. 'There are areas where the community (Kuki-Zo) feels a little apprehensive about the movement of the other community. We have had meetings with locals in those areas to build their confidence, and they have assured support and cooperation. At a senior level, we have also had meetings with all civil society organisations of the Kuki-Zo community, and they have extended their cooperation. We are also deploying heavy forces of the Army, SSB, BSF and the Manipur police, who will put ROPs (road opening parties) along the highway. On top of that, if anybody feels apprehensive about travelling by themselves, we will provide convoys at particular timings by clubbing together a few vehicles so that people can travel without fear,' he said. The festival will be held over five days and includes concerts every night, a literature event, a beauty pageant, a cooking competition and cultural performances. Singed by the conflict, tourism has taken a nosedive in Ukhrul and the aim is also to boost the local economy, the DC said. Ningkharun Shangh (28), a resident of Shirui village and the president of the Shirui Youth Club, said that of 500-odd households in the village, around 100 operate homestays while around 300 set up camping facilities for tourists. 'Tourism completely stopped during the conflict, which affected all these people. So far, some people have contacted us asking for accommodation, and villagers are making arrangements. Around 150 have gotten bookings so far, we'll have to wait and watch to find out how many people arrive. On our part, we are preparing in full swing for all the events, and locals from the village are busy working on things like setting up the stages,' he said. Many people in the area set up homestays and small hotels after the festival started in 2017. One of them is 33-year-old Wungmatem Nayo, who established dormitory-style rooms in 2019. 'Business has really been affected and we have hardly had any visitors. Most people who come to the festival are usually from Imphal, but I don't think they will come. I'm not expecting many visitors this time,' he said.
United News of India
17-05-2025
- United News of India
Manipur prepares for Shirui festival
Imphal, May 17 (UNI) Manipur is all set to organise the Shirui Lily festival after a gap of two years from May 20-24. A crisis had led to cancellation of major tourism festivals like Sangai, Shirui, Polo International in 2023 and 2024. The fifth edition of the Shirui Lily Festival will be celebrated from May 20 to 24, at Ukhrul district. Named after Shirui Lily a beautiful flower scientifically known as Lilium Mackliniae, the beautiful flower blooms at Shirui hill ranges in May and June. The Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur will organize the event with all the flavours of the festival, Rock music, indigenous music, food , adventure, Miss Shirui contest and showcase the beauty of Ukhrul district and majority Tangkhul tribe who settle in the district. The festival is organized despite challenges from Kuki militants who have warned people belonging to a particular community not to take part in the festival. Most tourists will land at Imphal airport and move towards Ukhrul district which is about 78 km, half of which are hill region. A little known Kuki organization issued threats which were immediately denounced by Manipur Police and Naga organizations. The Naga bodies of Ukhrul have asked all not to disturb the festival. Manipur Police said the press statement issued by one unknown organisation Kuki Zo Village Volunteer-Eastern Zone (KZVV-EZ), is being circulated on social media and local vernaculars. The unknown organization has warned members of the Meitei community against entering or crossing Kuki-inhabited areas for the upcoming Shirui Festival. The district police enquired into the organization. However, no such organization was found. The general public are requested not to believe such unfounded and baseless press note issued by unknown organizations. The district police will make adequate security arrangements to ensure and facilitate free movement of public for the Shirui Festival. The public are requested to cooperate with the Police Department in the security arrangement relating to Shirui Festival, police said. Director Tourism, Pooja Elangbam went to the district and informed from the venue itself that the road is safe and the festival will go on as scheduled. The main attraction will be ShiRock, a musical event with artists from India and abroad. Manipur government will also arrange special buses from Imphal to Ukhrul during the festival. Helicopter services will also be available from Imphal to Ukhrul for the safety and convenience of the tourists. UNI NS SSP BM
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
13 IAS officers get new postings in bureaucratic reshuffle in Manipur
Imphal: In a bureaucratic reshuffle in Manipur, 13 IAS officers, including Tourism Director Pooja Elangbam and Thoubal DC A Subash Singh , have been transferred, according to a has been given the charge of the deputy commissioner of Bishnupur district, while L Bikram will replace her as the tourism was the Bishnupur has been entrusted with the responsibility of the additional secretary of the departments of home and personnel, besides the charge of institutional finance as its director, the notification Health Engineering Department (veterinary) Joint Secretary Hannah Kahmei has been given the responsibility of the Thoubal deputy commissioner, it (Institutional Finance) Ranjan Yumnam has been appointed as the additional secretary of the PHE Joint Secretary Luckysom Ngamsha will assume charge as the director of the Tribal Affairs and Hills department, the notification Director Nivedita Lairenlakpam has been given the charge of deputy commissioner (DC) of Imphal Deputy Commissioner (Imphal East) Khumanthem Diana has been transferred as the transport DC Krishna Kumar has been made special secretary (power) while Saurabh Yadav, the joint secretary (Transport/ power), will replace Lokayukt secretary Robert Singh Kshetrimayum has been given the additional charge of the secretary of minor Kakching U Chaitanya has been transferred to SDO Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in Manipur , where more than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May President's rule has been imposed after Chief Minister N Biren Singh state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation. PTI
