By The Editor
Humans are totally different from animals because they are specially gifted by the Creator with power of mind and reasoning whereas animals react with instinct. People staying together in communities learnt to co-exist and gradually adapted themselves in various activities for the good and welfare of all members. In course of time they developed behaviours and traits accepted by all and culminated in culture, which included customs and practices like language, faith, belief, worship, etc. Environment too played prominent role and so people began to pay homage to forces of nature like sun, moon, fire, etc. As time passed they modified and rejected what was unworthy and all these different characteristics bound people together which developed into cultures and culture is identified with distinct identity of people. Successive generations ought to feel proud of their culture and identity and preserve at all costs. Danger nowadays is because of the onslaught of so-called advanced civilisations from outside with youngsters trying to needlessly imitate them and ultimately forsaking their own rich traditions. Sharing of customs and practices with others is good, no doubt, but one should value one’s own the most because if culture is lost then identity is also lost.
Native inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh majority of whom still cling to their old traditional religion belong to numerous tribal groups speaking different languages, professing diverse faiths and following various customs and practices. But what unites them is their reverence of the Sun (Donyi) and the Moon (Polo) to symbolise the rich cultural heritage of the state. Union government approved development of Hollongi greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh in January 2019 and project covering an area of 685 acres was consequently taken up by Airports Authority of India (AAI) with the help of the central and state governments costing Rs. 646crore. On August 4, there was meeting of Arunachal Pradesh state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu which arrived at a concensus for naming the new airport as Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar and approved by Union Cabinet on November 2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to inaugurate the new airport from where big Airbus-320type of aircrafts can easily and safely operate with eight check-in counters. The runway is 2300 metres long and the airport is energy-efficient which will run on renewable energy.
Arunachal Pradesh is at higher altitude than Meghalaya and like all hill states, geographical terrains and weather conditions are similar. Planes are bigger in size and so airports too should be spacious enough to accommodate them. Besides, modern technology and expertise which are available in the country are assets for constructing greenfield airports in North East (NE) India especially in capital region of Meghalaya. Air connectivity to save time and distance is priority for movement of passengers as well as of goods which will greatly benefit the state and its people. Hence Meghalaya cannot afford to further delay matter any longer.