The 18th State-Level Orange Festival (SLOF) concluded today at the Mini Stadium, Tamenglong, with Chief Secretary of Manipur Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS, gracing the closing ceremony as chief guest. The event was attended by his wife Madhuri Goel and several senior state and district officials, along with representatives of the Inpui, Rongmei, Zeme and Liangmai Naga Council Manipur (RNCM), and other community leaders.
Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong and Chairman of the 18th SLOF, Dr L. Angshim Dangshawa, IAS, delivered the welcome and keynote address. The programme featured Christmas carols by the United Baptist Church (Liangmai) and the Independent Church of India (Hmar), traditional performances by the Inpui tribe, a cultural presentation by a Kuki troupe from Churachandpur, and a musical performance by Jeanpui Kamei.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary Dr Goel congratulated the organisers for successfully bringing together people from diverse communities across Manipur, describing the festival as “a beacon of peace, harmony and unity” and “a hope for a better future.” He recalled Tamenglong’s historic association with freedom fighters Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu, and highlighted the district’s significance in the state’s citrus economy. Noting that Tamenglong contributes over 50 per cent of Manipur’s orange production, he said the district is rightly known as the “Orange Bowl of Manipur.”
Dr Goel said the festival, which began in 2001, has grown steadily over the years, and noted that this year’s theme, “Celebration for a Cause,” honours the contribution of orange growers. He encouraged farmers to adopt modern technologies to enhance productivity. Referring to the Geographical Indication (GI) tag granted to Tamenglong Orange in 2017, he said more than 350 growers have since been certified as organic, with 38 villages in the district included under government schemes to promote organic orange orchards. He added that Manipur has strong horticulture development potential that can benefit both farmers and entrepreneurs.
Additional Deputy Magistrate Chunglenmang Kipgen, MCS, delivered the vote of thanks and announced that the Orange Queen contest and “Tamenglong’s Got Talent” would begin later in the evening.
During the ceremony, results of the orange competition were declared and prizes distributed. Hungamang Gangmei of Thingou village won the first prize of ₹2 lakh, followed by Houtoulung Pamei of Dailong village with ₹1 lakh, and Ph Benjamin of Khongsang village with ₹75,000.
The newly introduced Best Orange Orchard awards were presented to Ejenglung Pamai of Namtiram village (first prize, ₹30,000), Keinepou Panmei of Azuram (second prize, ₹20,000), and Dinjinliu Kamei of Sibilong and Lungthuilung Gondaimei of Makhuam I (third prizes, ₹10,000 each).
Organisers and participants underscored the broader social significance of the festival. Despite recent tensions between communities in the state, the Tamenglong Orange Festival successfully brought together Meiteis, Kukis, Hmar and various Naga communities in a shared celebration, reinforcing its role in fostering communal harmony in Manipur.
