<span style="color: #222222;">Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture Prahlad Singh Patel yesterday inaugurated Shirui Lily Festival, 2019 at Shirui Vangayan Ground of Ukhrul in Manipur. Mr Patel along with State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh inaugurated the Strength of Unity Statue as a mark of opening the third edition of the four-day state festival.  </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' Speaking on the occasion, Mr Patel said, such cultural events reflect the beauty and treasure of our culture. He said that joint efforts of the State Government and Central Government can only promote tourism and culture of a region to the level of people's expectation. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' Mr Patel said, Tourism Ministry had already written a letter to Human Resource Development Ministry to send the students up to class 12 standard of Central Schools and Navodaya Vidyalayas to the North-East States in their tour programmes. He said the initiative will provide an opportunity to youth outside the region to develop a positive perception about North-East. He also said this will create a lifelong impression in their mindset about the scenic natural beauty of the region, its cultural aesthetics and hospitality of its people.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' Cabinet ministers of the State and Lok Sabha MP Dr RK Ranjan Singh also attended the inaugural function of the Festival. Folk dances and folk songs of different ethnic groups and performance by rock bands will be the main attractions of the Festival which will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the State.</span><br />''  <br />