Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein,
presided over two key sessions on Friday, highlighting the conservation of the
state's cultural legacy and the promotion of its native products on national
platforms.
At the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office Conference Hall, a
Core Committee session on Unsung Heroes of Arunachal Pradesh took place. The
meeting centered on advancing research into the lives and contributions of the
state's lesser-known historical figures.
The committee decided to expand its research endeavors to
find and record more stories of Arunachal’s unsung icons, incorporating the
findings into the school curriculum to motivate future generations. In a
notable move, Rajiv Gandhi University was advised to expedite the publication
of its research conclusions in book form for incorporation into academic
materials.
To commemorate the sacrifices of these heroes, the Department
of Art & Culture was charged with expediting the building of 13 war
memorials across the state. Deputy Chief Minister Mein guaranteed improved
budget to assure timely completion of these memorials, which aim to serve as
lasting honors to Arunachal Pradesh’s historical legacy.
The session saw the participation of several key
stakeholders, including Minister of Education and Tourism Pasang Dorjee Sona,
Advisor to the Deputy Chief Minister Anupam Tangu, Commissioner of Education
Amzad Tak, Secretary of Education Duly Kamduk, and Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge)
of Rajiv Gandhi University Prof. S.K. Nayak, alongside faculty members and
administrators from the Department of Art & Culture.
In another important meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister
discussed the upcoming GI (Geographical Indication) Festival 2025, a flagship
endeavor of the state government. Scheduled to be held in New Delhi in January
or February 2025, the festival aspires to show Arunachal Pradesh’s
GI-registered native products.
The occasion will give the spotlight to 20 GI-tagged items,
including five agricultural products, 11 textiles and handicrafts, three
manufactured goods, and one food product. It is conceived as a forum to bring
Arunachal’s unique crafts, cuisine, and culture to a national audience.
A high-level committee has been created to manage the
festival, chaired by the Minister of Education and Tourism Pasang Dorjee Sona.
Advisors to the committee include Padmashree recipient Dr. Rajanikant, known as
the "GI Man of India," and Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sadhana
Deori, with Director SHRD Egan Basar serving as Member Secretary.
The session included the participation of Minister of IPR,
Textiles, and Handicrafts Nyato Dukam, Residential Commissioner at Arunachal
Bhawan in New Delhi Amzad Tak, GM NABARD, and various secretaries and directors
from agriculture, horticulture, and textiles departments.
Both endeavors echo the government’s dedication to conserve
the rich history and cultural legacy of Arunachal Pradesh. While the Unsung
Heroes project seeks to honor the sacrifices of the past, the GI Festival seeks
to give the spotlight to rich traditions and native products of the state on a
national scale.
These actions not only honor the state’s identity but also
place Arunachal Pradesh as an important contributor to India’s diverse cultural
landscape. (PR)