Imphal: The 76th Republic Day celebrations in Manipur concluded on Monday with a Folk Dance Competition and the ceremonial Beating the Retreat, held at the 1st Bn. Manipur Rifles Parade Ground, Imphal. The event was graced by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who distributed prizes for various categories of competitions held during the celebrations. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Ministers, MLAs, and top officials.
The Governor presented cash prizes to the winners of the Folk Dance Competition held earlier in the day. The Cultural Dance Troupe from Noney district secured the first position and received a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh. The Performing Entrancement Arts and Cultural Evolution from Thoubal district clinched the second position with a cash prize of Rs. 75,000, while the Cultural Dance Troupe from Tamenglong district won the third position, receiving Rs. 50,000.
In the March Past Competition, the Uniform Contingents of BSF and the Unarmed Combat (UAC) team jointly bagged the first position. The Sikh Regiment and Assam Rifles contingents were awarded second and third positions, respectively.
In the School Contingents category, the 14th NCC Sr. Boys & Girls and 65th Girls NCC Contingent both shared the first position. The NCC Sr. Air Wing and Sainik School contingent secured the second and third positions, respectively.
For College Contingents, D.M. College of Arts (Girls) and Manipur College jointly secured the first position, followed by National Sports University and Imphal College in the second and third positions, respectively.
The Band Party category saw Assam Rifles and CRPF securing the first position, while the 2nd Manipur Rifles & 2nd IRB and Sainik School Band took the second and third positions, respectively.
In the Cultural Dance category, The Star Musical Centre, Khurai, secured the first position, followed by The Performing Entrancement Art & Cultural Evolution in second, and The Linda Folk & Classical Academy in third.
For Tableaux presentations, the Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur, clinched first place, while the Directorate of Higher Education, Manipur, and Loktak Development Authority, Manipur, took second and third places, respectively.
In Gate Construction, the Forest Department, Manipur, secured the first position, followed by the Directorate of Sericulture, Manipur, in second and the Tourism Department, Manipur, in third.
Special prizes were also distributed to Parade Commander, Smt. L. Sarita Devi, MPS, SP-SPORTS, Guard of Honour, Jay Barange, IPS, Commandant, 1st Bn., Manipur Rifles, Imphal, Director, IPR, Manipur, Director, Health Services, Manipur, Director, Fire Services, Manipur, Chief Engineer (PWD), Manipur, Chief Engineer (PHED), Manipur, Chief Engineer (Water Resources Department), Manipur, Managing Director (MSPDCL), Manipur, Municipality Commissioner, IMC, Ex-Servicemen Contingent, Anouba Mangal Trust, Social Welfare Department, Manipur, ICDS (Anganwadi – Imphal West) Contingent, ASHA Workers Contingent, Contingent of Persons with Disability and Social Welfare Department, Manipur.
The Governor also presented red blankets as a mark of respect to 13 village chiefs from six districts, including Chandel, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, and Senapati.
The ceremony marked a fitting conclusion to the 76th Republic Day celebrations in Manipur, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and unity of the state.
