Manipur is planning to promote its Cherry Blossom Festival as an international event and intends to invite delegates from countries like Japan, which also celebrates the Sakura (cherry blossom) festival. This announcement was made by chief minister N Biren Singh, during a virtual inauguration of the Cherry Blossom Mao Festival.

The chief minister in his inaugural speech spoke about the immense tourism potential that Mao presents and how the hill station is also a crucial link to access tourist destinations like Dzukou Valley, which Singh refers to as national wealth. Mao in Manipur’s Senapati district also serves as the gateway to the state.

Launched in 2017, the Cherry Blossom Festival was part of the Manipur Sangai Festival. This year, the Department of Tourism, Manipur, and Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) Shillong organised a virtual version of the festival with the blooming cherry trees of the Mao hills being introduced through ‘Cherry Nachom’ a contemporary dance ballet.

As Singh, in his speech, says, “I believe this virtual event will provide an excellent platform for promoting tourism, even as we are constrained by the Covid pandemic. The pandemic has made life challenging for all of us, nevertheless, with cooperation and understanding, we have sailed through the difficulties. I am hopeful that the virtual event will give hope and inspiration to our viewers around the world during this pandemic. I look forward to the day when we can welcome all our viewers to Manipur once again.”