50 years of Dree 

ZIRO, Jul 5:Union Minister of Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju joined the people of Ziro Valley on the inaugural program of Golden Jubilee Dree festival today, much to the joy of the people, braving the inclement weather and landslide marred roads.

 Addressing the huge gathering, Rijiju called for preserving and promoting age old traditions.

“We are at a crossroad between modernity and our culture. We should assimilate what is good of the modern world today, but still be rooted to our culture. Our culture is our identity and we should strive to preserve it in all possible manner. Lets us be modern in our thoughts, but still be rooted to our traditions.” he added and called upon the youngsters studying outside the state and abroad to be in touch with the cultural side always.

Lauding the Apatanis for impeccably preserving the age old cultural landscape and traditions, he said that the local inhabitants seriousness in preserving culture, has put Ziro in the world cultural tourism map.

Assuring all support in the endeavour, Rijiju also announced that a multipurpose cultural activity center will be coming up shortly in Ziro.

Asserting that public support is of utmost necessity for any developmental activity to be successful, he stressed on need for planned development and unified efforts from all sections cutting across political parties, departments, NGOs and the public to realize this dream of greater and prosperous Arunachal.

“I am sad that the TAH between Potin to Godak has not yet taken off due to the compensation issues. With pursuance from my end as well the recent compensation package was approved and I request the three MLAs of the district and the district administration to work out the disbursement of the compensation immediately after the festivities conclude,” he further added while expressing grief over the delayed project.

As a gift to the Ziro Valley on the eve of the golden jubilee celebrations, Rijiju committed to facilitate the 86 crore Pange River project, which will cater to the increasing demand of water supply in the twin township of Ziro-Hapoli, reconstruction of Gyati Takka general hospital, a 12 crore rain water harvesting project, Community hall for the Goan Buras and Apatani Youth Association.

He also donated five lakh rupees to the festival committee as a token of appreciation.

Education Minister Honchum Ngamdam congratulated the Apatanis on the Golden jubilee celebrations and called upon all the people to preserve and promote their culture. Culture is a way of our life, we are nobody without it, he added.

“Festivals provide a platform for all of us to revive our traditional values and foster brotherhood. It polishes the intricate human relations and brings all the people cutting across different societies under a single banner,” he further added and encouraged youths to actively participate in the traditional functions.

Earlier the pioneers and founding members of Dree,  Lod Kojee, Gyati Challa, Khoda Pussang, Rubu Konyan, Late Michi Tatung, Late Tailyang Konyan , Late Millo Kacho, Late Tage Tade were felicitated.

Also on the occasion the Golden Jubilee Dree Souvenir ANW SUPUN , audio albums, documentaries, and the quarterly Apatani cultural Journal” popiriscope” was released.

Later at Lempia Village, MoS Kiren Rijiju flagged off an ambulance for PHC Raga.

A colourful display of cultural program and the famous PeNN procession of the Murung festival were the highlights of the inaugural program.

Later in the evening, Thupten Tsering of Indian Idol fame will enthrall the audience in the Dree ground and Nenchalya. This year the celebrations will be till July 9 next. Jeli Kaye also of Indian idol fame will be performing.

Among others the program was attended by Chief Patron, Central Dree committee and MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Er. Tage Taki , Parlimentary Secretaries Tamar Murtem, Likha Saaya, DC Kemo Lollen, SP Bomge Kamduk, Ex Minister Tapi Bhatt, Ex MLA Nani Ribiya , ZPC Hage Kobin and HoDs .

At NAHARLAGUN,

“The Apatanis have in been in the forefront in all aspects of society and hope that it will be the leader in preserving the rich cultural heritage of the state,” said Nabam Rebia, Minister (UD, Housing, Law and justice etc).He was speaking on the occasion of Capital Complex Dree Festival celebration at Dree Festival Ground where Bollywood heartthrob of the seventies and eighties Ms Zeenat Aman along with many other film personalities attended.

Rebia observed that Arunachal is endowed with rich natural resources which if properly tapped can become one of the richest states of the country. He assured that in the coming days the government will ensure that the economy of the state is uplifted. He also appealed to the visiting celluloid personalities to take advantage of the natural beauty of Arunachal as the state is endowed with virgin pristine scenic beauty. The minister hoped that soon the unexplored beauty and diverse cultural heritage will be exposed to the outside world.

 

Zeenat Aman said that she is impressed by the beauty and the simplicity of the people of Arunachal. She hoped that the rich and beautiful art and culture of the Apatanis are preserved through such festivals. Natural beauty and the varied cultures of the state needs to be exposed to the outside world, she said assuring her support.

Chairman CCDFC, Nani Shah while highlighting the importance of the festival celebration informed that this year’s celebration is dedicated to Apatani womenfolk and their empowerment for their outstanding achievements in various fields like beauty pageant, UPSC etc. The chairman also appreciated the hard working and forward looking nature of the ladies.

The Dree Souvenir, ‘Popiriscope’-a quarterly Apatani cultural journal, an Apatani audio CD etc. were released on the occasion.

Traditional and modern dances, Daminda, Community feast etc, were the other highlights of the day.

 

At TEZU,

Dree was celebrated with gusto here with the highlight being the colourful cultural programmes which included dances from other communities of the state.

Deputy Commissioner, Danish Ashraf who attended as Chief Guest in his speech urged the tribal communities to preserve their rich cultural heritage through such festivals. He alsoemphasized to inculcate plantation programmes as one of the agenda in celebrating festivals to make the environmenthealthy.

ZPM Sunpura, B Tega and Superintendent of Police Isaac Pertin also attended as guests.

---

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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