Ziro, Feb 4: A 14-member team of former executive members of Apatani Women Association Ziro (AWAZ) embarked on a one-week exposure tour to Sikkim and later interacted with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay.
The team had undertaken the tour primarily to explore and study the rural tourism facilities available in Sikkim, considered one of the most sought after tourist destinations in India, and to bring back the experience to be replicated in Ziro.
‘In contrast to the fast-paced city life, there is a growing recognition to step back and experience the slow but organic lifestyle of villages,’ said former AWAZ president Hibu Lily. The had the first-hand opportunity to experience the famed rural eco-tourism facilities available in Sikkim through the exposure tour.
On February 2, the team was invited for dinner by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay. During the dinner meeting, fruitful discussions were held on the status of women and women empowerment programs of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
The Sikkim CM informed that under the Sikkim Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana Scheme (SASY), a flagship programme of Sikkim Govt, financial assistance of Rs 20,000/- was provided to non-working, unwed, widowed, divorced or separated mothers residing in Sikkim between the age group of 18-59 years. The objective of the grant was to empower mothers to invest in business or pay their children’s education fee. ‘Mero Rukh Mero Santati’ was another novel green initiative of the Sikkim Govt. aimed to strengthen the bond between the parents, children and nature by planting trees to commemorate childbirth. 108 trees are planted for every newborn child in Sikkim, the CM informed.
Team AWAZ highlighted their contributions to the community in the fields of education, sports, fashion, health sector and undertaking cleanliness drives in Ziro valley. They also explained the unique cultural practices of paddy-cum-fish culture, kiwi farming, entrepreneurial spirit of ‘Naara Aba’, and the ‘Ziro Festival of Music’ (ZFM), India’s biggest outdoor music festival. The team also informed the vibrant and major traditional festivals of Myoko and Dree of Apatani people.