Folk dance fest concludes R-Day celebrations in Manipur

IMPHAL — The 75th Republic Day celebrations in Manipur came to a close on Saturday with a folk dance festival and beating retreat ceremony held at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal.

The event was attended by Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, ministers, MLAs, and the chief secretary, among others.

On the occasion, the governor handed over a cash prize of INR 1 lakh to the winning troupe, Sangeet Kala Sangam, Khurai, Imphal East, for their outstanding performance in the folk-dance festival. Additionally, INR 75,000 was awarded to Lianda Folk and Classical Academy, Imphal West, for securing the second position, and INR 50,000 to Tribal Cultures and Research Centre, Tamenglong district, for achieving the third position.

She also awarded prizes to the winners of the March Past competition held on Friday in various categories.

In the uniform contingent, BSF secured the first position, CRPF secured the second position, and the Tripura State Rifles contingent secured the third position.

In school and other contingents, 1st Manipur Rifles Unit High School, Anouba Mangal Trust (Social Welfare Department), and Pari Imom Contingent secured the first, second, and third positions, respectively.

Talui Naga Village Dance Troupe from Ukhrul secured the first position, followed by Mao Cultural Dance Troupe from Senapati in the second position, and Maring Lhousha Dance Troupe from Tengnoupal in the third position in the Cultural Dance Troupes.

In the Tableau category, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) emerged as the winner.