Changlong
Nampong, a small town of Changlang District located in eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh reverberated with the rhythms of Gongs and the fireworks in the second day of the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival 2017 as thousands of people with colourful traditional attires thronged the festival ground.
Attending the second day of the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival 2017 at Nampong today, Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein said that the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival is a meaningful festival that will encourage international trade with the neighbouring countries especially with Myanmar. He said that the present Govt of India headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the centre is serious and committed to bring the Act East Policy in to practical, that is why it was rechristened from erstwhile Look East Policy by the present govt.
He expressed optimistic that with the taking over of a Democratic Govt in Myanmar things will improved between the Govt of India and Myanmar and expressed hope that the Pangsau Pass would be reopen soon which would greatly improve the trade relation between India and Myanmar and will also benefit the local population.
Mein said “the Central Govt is focusing in the development of Arunachal now and we can witness it from the regular visits of the Union Ministers over the last few days in the state announcing developmental projects since the formation of BJP govt in the state”. He reiterated that Arunachal Economy is now open and the govt in the centre is very concern and serious about development of our state.
He further said that the state govt is prepairing a fair budget for the coming financial year for a change for betterment and added that state is changing with the adoption of innovative ideas and new technologies.
Mein urged the youths to abstain from drug addiction and to actively involve themselves in the fruitful activities saying that Arunachal has got a bright future. He further said that state govt is concern about the drug menace and it has recently released fund to all districts to make all the drug de-addiction centre functional. However, he called upon the people for consolidated approach to erase and safe the coming generations from the drug menace.
He announced to provide Rs 2 crores for construction of the festival hall and the boundary wall of the festival ground for the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival which shall be kept in the next budget.
Tapir Gao, State BJP President, who attended the festival as the guest of honour said that Pangsau Pass Festival symbolizes agriculture & horticulture richness and also symbolizes a drug free & peaceful society.
He stated that Nampong is going to be the hub of international trade with the declaration of national highway up to Pangsau Pass and with the railway connectivity on anvil. He further said that BJP Govt in the centre is very keen on strengthening Act East Policy to improve trades with the South East Asean Countries which would greatly benefit the people of North East India. He also expressed hope for early re-opening of Pangsau Pass as democratically elected govt has been formed in Myanmar too.
As the State Govt is working in tandem with the Central Govt since the beginning of this year, there will be political stability in the state, Gao said. He further said that under the leadership of the young and dynamic Chief Minister Pema Khandu, we will see a strong and visionary govt in the state. And expressed hope that there will be more development in the state with less corruption and transparency in governance as envisaged by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He appealed to the youth to maintain peace for development and also to keep themselves away from the drugs. He lauded the festival committee for organizing the event in a grand way and urged the people to carry forward the same with future plan and enthusiasm.
Laisam Simai, Local MLA cum Chairman of the PPWF 2017 said that the event is a memorable one and being organized by the local community in collaboration with Department of Tourism and District Administration. He also thanked the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister for their support because of which the celebration could be made successful.
The major attractions of the festival were display of multi-tribes cultural programmes in which 40 cultural troupes including cultural troupes from Myanmar participated. Agility Sport Show by the trained dogs of the Assam Rifle Dog Training Centre, Nampong enthralled the gathering.
On the occasion, a local audio CD Cassette was released by the Chief Guest. The dignitaries also participated in the Signature campaign and committed themselves for Green and Peaceful Arunachal.
Hundreds of stalls showcasing local handlooms and handicrafts, food stalls of local delicacies were put up in the festival ground. People also thronged the Melas organized outside the festival ground.
