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Khandu attends Poi Pee Mau Tai 2111 at Namsai

Namsai

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Chief Minister Pema Khandu landed here today along with Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju to attend the second day of the Tai New Year festival – Poi Pee Mau Tai 2111.

Various cultural troupes from Thailand, Tai community and from various tribal communities of Arunachal welcomed the distinguished guests here at Poi Pee Mau ground. Before proceeding to witness the evening cultural extravaganza, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Hochayan (Cultural Hall) – the venue of the festival. The guests were then introduced with the cultural troupes participating in the evening cultural show.

Khandu attends Poi Pee Mau Tai 2111 at NamsaiThe Chief Minister released a souvenir – Sasana Hom Tai (Aspiring as one Tai) published by the Tai Khampti Development Society (TKDS). Another Souvenir on Poi Pee Mau Festival published by the festival committee of Poi Pee Mau was released by the Union Minister. An audio CD on Tai music and modern songs were released by Agriculture Minister Wangki Lowang and Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Pasang D Sona.

Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, the Chief Minister appreciated that Poi Peem Mau celebration has become a face of Arunachal with participation from various tribal communities in the festival. He said culture is the strength of Arunachal. Foreign tourists come to Arunachal to see our ancient culture and traditions. The CM appealed the youths to preserve their culture and tradition and urged them to be the bridge between tradition and modernity.

The Chief Minister called upon the people of Arunachal that time has come to be self-reliant and not always depend on centre for resources. He expressed hope that eastern part of state has great scope for growth, as the new civilian airport in Tezu is about to come up. Also a railway network upto Parashuram Kund is on the pipeline. The CM informed that Union Railway Minister or the Minister of State for Railways would soon visit this part of the state.

Khandu urged the centre to immediately clear the proposal for a new tourist circuit ie Namsai – Parashuram Kund – Bhismaknagar, for which he directed the local administration to prepare a proposal as early possible. He informed that earlier funding pattern on the basis of tourist circuit has been discarded and the new concept of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ has been framed, as per which an area with scope for tourism will be funded.

Speaking on the tourism prospect of the region, the CM mentioned about the prospect the Glow Lake near Wakro that offers in terms of its beauty and vastness. He promised will be soon visiting the Chowkham constituency where the lake is situated.

Khandu attends Poi Pee Mau Tai 2111 at NamsaiResponding to the proposal to name Poi Pee Mau as state festival, the Chief Minister alternatively suggested the people to come up with a concept of a combined festival that represents various communities and tribes from the area, which would be then be named as state festival.

Khandu appreciated the festival committee for dedicating the festival to fight against the drugs. He informed that state government has sanctioned Rs 6 crore to start all the defunct de-addiction centres in the area.

Further the Chief Minister called for more cultural exchanges between Thailand and Arunachal. This year the festival has participants from delegates of Thai Embassy.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Rijiju expressed delight that Poi Pee Mau Tai 2111 has gone global with the presence of Thai Embassy delegates. He observed that Khampti and Thai people has great resemblance and are culturally closely linked, which must be explored and studied. Rijiju suggested on forming expert group to study with help from Thailand on how to work in areas of tourism, trade, commerce, religion and culture so that Arunachal and Thailand can mutually benefit.

Taking cue from Thailand, the Union Minister said that Arunachal can too develop in line of Thailand if it can cash on its tourism prospect. He informed that home ministry is making all efforts to ease travel restrictions on foreigners to Arunachal to increase tourist flow.

Rijiju further informed that centre is preparing special package for Arunachal, being jointly proposed by the home ministry and rural development ministry. All norms on population and other criteria for development of roads under schemes such as PMGSY will be relaxed. The centre has planned to develop each border area of Arunachal and has on proposal to develop roads and other border infrastructures. The Union Minister informed that these special package would be announced soon by the PM when he visits Arunachal.

Earlier in his welcome address, Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein said that “new era of tourism as well as cultural relations with Thailand has begun which would help in development of tourism in the state”. He also stress on building border trades with Myanmar, Bhutan and other neighboring countries for boosting economic development of the state.

Citing the tourism potential of Namsai and adjoining districts, Mein proposed to the Chief Minister for creation of Namsai – Kongmu Kham – Parsuramkund – Tezu – Bismaknagar – Namsai Tourist Circuit with a provision for development of required facilities. He informed that Poi-Pee Mau Tai has now become an international festival with the participations of international cultural delegates from Thailand and with presence of other foreign audience, he requested Chief Minister to declared Poi-Pee-Mau-Tai Festival as an Annual Calendar Event of the state.

The festival was attended by Forest Parliamentary Secretary CT Mein, Tax & Excise Parliamentary Secretary Zingnu Namchoom, Tourism Secretary Dr Joram Beda and other dignitaries.

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