Biggest festival ‘Yaoshang’ of Manipur embarked

Imphal: Manipur’s biggest festival, locally known as Yaoshang (Holi in Hindus), began in Imphal on Tuesday.

Hundreds of people, including women and children, representing various clubs and organizations gathered at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal to gather the sacred fire for their torch rallies.
As a powerhouse of sports, sports lovers said that apart from the imported sports events, it is the right time to introduce local sports of Manipur like Ougri Hangen Chongba, Mukna, Sagol Kangjei, Yubi Lakpi, Kang, And steps should be taken to protect Thang Ta.
Congratulating the people of Manipur on the occasion, Governor Anusuiya Uikey said, “The festival of Yaoshang has now become a sports movement as various sports activities are held in every region during the entire period of the festival.”
Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Yaoshang is the biggest festival of the state and extended his warm greetings to all on this occasion to promote love, brotherhood and social harmony.

Media houses here have announced a five-day holiday due to the festival. As a result, none of the dailies will hit the stands till March 12.
The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) has organized a five-day sports meet on the occasion.

AMWJU president Wangkhemcha Samjai said that people should support the sports movement in the state to save the youth.
The Manipuri Students Federation (MSF) has appealed to the people of Manipur not to extend Yaoshang celebrations beyond five days in view of the ongoing Class 10th and 12th examinations.

The five-day fair will conclude on March 11.