The Adi community of Adi Ningroo village under Piyong Circle celebrated the Golden Jubilee Solung Festival with great pomp and gaiety to commemorate the 50th year of Central Solung festival celebration in Namsai district on Thursday.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein advised the people to focus on three Cs – culture, communication and commerce – for development of the State.
He said just as Modi emphasised on these three Cs to strengthen ties with the ASEAN countries, “We also need to focus on them for overall development of the region.”
He reiterated that the BJP Government in Arunachal Pradesh has been secular, allowing all religions and communities to grow equally. “However, it is our duty to protect our own cultures. The Heritage Village at Itanagar will house the ethnic cultures of all tribes of the State and will reflect the diverse living cultures of the State,” he said.
Mein further said that tribal people are very rich in oral literature and tribal rhapsody singers or shamans can sing and perform rituals for 3-5 days continuously without taking rest. “But it will die away with the passage of time and the need of the hour is to record it and keep it in proper documentation,” he said, adding that the State Government has kept fund for documentation in this year’s budget.
State BJP President Tapir Gao, speaking as the guest of honour, emphasised on cultural integration. “Arunachal Pradesh is home to diverse cultures and festivals. We must make these festivals an occasion for cultural exchange and integration to strengthen the bond of unity and brotherhood.”
He also said that the Central government has initiated more than 115 schemes for BPL families and requested the district administrations and public leaders to ensure that all the BPL cardholders avail the benefits of these schemes.
Local MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom said that the people in the area have been living harmoniously for years together. He said that there is no difference in the names of the tribes and Adi, Khamti and Singpho tribes of the area have been maintaining cultural relationships through inter-tribe marriage.
He said that many important projects are coming up in the Piyong Circle with a Greenfield Science College and Government Degree College to be established soon. He also said that the Piyong Health Sub-Centre will be the first Wellness Centre of the State and further said that the maintenance work of road from Namsai 2-Mile to Modoi Gate near Dayun (Chnglang) has started and Rs 34 crore has been sought from the Centre under CRF for the widening of this important inter-district road.
New Deputy Commissioner of Namsai, Dr Tapasya Raghav sought the cooperation of the people for improving social sectors and taking development to the desired level as envisaged by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of the State. She said that the door of district administration is always open for the people and welcomed suggestions for the betterment of the district.
Gaon Burah of Adi Ningroo village, Boloram Paron highlighted the Solung mythology and the genesis of the Central Solung festival celebration since 1967 in the area.
Cultural items were presented on the occasion.