GUWAHATI, Jan 31: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein opined that the Tai Community residing in Northeast states can act as a bridge between India and ASEAN nations because of similarities in culture, food habits and dialects. 
He was speaking at the seminar titled “Role of Tai Community on the Act East Policy & their impact on the Social, Cultural, Linguistic and Economic Corridor across the border” organised on the eve of Silver Jubilee celebration of Me-Dam-Me-Phi festival here on Thursday last.  
Lauding the organizers for organizing a meaningful discourse through the seminar, Mein said that Act East Policy would be a game changer for NE states vis-à-vis ASEAN countries. 
“Cultural similarity between the people of ASEAN countries and the Northeast should become the fulcrum of our friendship and the bedrock of all our policies-both diplomatic and economic,” Mein added and stressed on reopening of the historic Stilwell or Ledo Road that was constructed during World War II starting from Ledo in Assam and passing through Pangsau Pass (Nampong) in Arunachal Pradesh, leading up to Kunming in China through Myanmar to boost age-old cultural ties and spiritual tourism.
People living across international boundaries of India and Myanmar have common cultural ties which would act as a catalyst for cross-border trade, DCM said.
While underscoring the importance of the Act East Policy as a vehicle of Prime Minister’s vision to develop the region, Mein elaborated on the positional advantage of the region to become the new growth hub of trade, tourism and cultural exchange. He also raised the issue of assistance for proper development of border areas, which he said is a national responsibility. 
Extending greetings to the Tai Ahom community on the occasion of Me-Dam-Me-Phi, Mein urged the younger generation to work for preservation and promotion of the ancient traditions of Me-Dam-Me-Phi which is unique and by far the most important festival of the Ahom community and also opined for all Tai communities to come under one umbrella for preservation of age-old Tai culture and traditions. He stated that Khamtis and Ahoms have deep historical bonding and are of the same race whose histories dates back to 11th century and hoped that the festival will spread the message of unity, brotherhood and mutual understanding among the new generations. DCM Media Cell

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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