PASIGHAT, Sep 9: The five-day long 51st Central Solung celebration was formally inaugurated by Urban Development & Housing Minister, Nabam Rebia at the Pasighat Giidi Notko with much fanfare on Saturday.
Addressing the festive revellers, the Minister underscored the urgency and need for a missionary approach to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage which is gradually fading away due to advent of modernization. He gave a clarion call to keep the aged-old customary rituals of festivals alive and to ensure that tradition and customs are not in stake.
Assuring necessary fund for a burial/cremation ground for followers of all religions, he appealed to the people to cooperate and extend support for a clean, green and beautiful “Smart City”.
Retired IAS officer, Ganesh Koyu, PWD SE, Rotu Techi and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Management, Kaling Moyong also called on the community to play the role of torch-bearers for Arunachal Pradesh and maintain traditional ethos for ages to come.
Host of dignitaries, including Lok Sabha MP, Ninong Ering, former minister Bosiram Siram, Deputy Commissioner, Tamiyo Tatak, SP Pranav Tayal, ABK President Kengir Jamoh, ZPC Kaling Dai, PMC CC, Kaling Doruk were present on the occasion.
Colourful cultural programmes were also presented.
At Ruksin, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Alo Libang attended the inaugural function of the three-day Central Solung Gidii celebration.
In his address, Libang said that his government was committed to protect and promote the cultural diversity. The minister said that the state Cabinet has already passed an ‘Indigenous Faith & Cultural Bill’ in order to preserve indigenous cultures and living traditions of each and every community.
The minister also suggested the organizers to invite people of other tribes as guests in their festival and also requested them not to expect donation from the invited guests.
Advising the youths to shoulder their responsibility of preservation of traditional cultures, Nari-Koyu MLA, Kento Rina highlighted how traditional attires, practices and behaviours of an ethnic group denote their living style and richness of their traditional culture.
Jonai (Assam) SDO, Jadav Pegu, Pasighat West MLA, Er Tatung Jamoh and Ruksin block ZPM, Tonggeng Panyang also spoke on the occasion.
Display of mythological dance by Rayang based Karpung Karduk Music Academy and Assamese Bihu dance were some special attraction of the day-long festive programme.
