Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh appealed to protect the Barak river.
The Barak which originates from Liyai, Senapati district is the second richest river in the region and passes through Assam and Bangladesh.
Biren who joined the celebrations on Wednesday said the government is committed to bring equal development.
The venue of the festival should be near the Barak river, the Chief Minister said. Barak festival organised for the third time is to understand the biodiversity of the river and to protect it, he added.
A decision was taken to educate the youth about the importance of Barak River, its surrounding forest, nature and water, he said.
He said the government cannot work without the support and blessing of the public, and further expressed the need to cooperate and support one another. There are around 34-35 communities in the State and it is the duty and responsibility of the Chief Minister to share their needs and grievances, N. Biren Singh added.
He also spoke on the importance of conserving and preserving one’s culture.
Further lauding the discipline of the communities of the State, the Chief Minister said today we are moving forward in development.
N. Biren Singh also spoke of different developmental projects in the district and highlighted the opening of an Open gym at Senapati headquarter, the ongoing laying of football turf, etc.
He also said that an assessment of the incomplete stadium at the venue is underway and it will be completed at the earliest.
Performances from different cultural troupes highlighted the closing function. Miss Barak festival and traditional cultural programmes were highlights of the festival.
Altogether 90 different stalls were also opened during the festival including government departments like Fisheries Department, Autonomous District Council, Senapati, District Legal Services Authority, Senapati, Sub-divisional stalls, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, PHED, Senapati among others.
