GUWAHATI:
The first cultural exchange programme between Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim got underway in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his Sikkim counterpart Prem Singh Tamang at Dirang in West Kameng district on April 24.
Welcoming his Sikkim counterpart and a huge delegation of legislative assembly speaker, ministers, MLAs, officials and cultural teams that accompanied him, Khandu expressed gratitude for his presence.
“The culture of our state has evolved with continued interaction and exchange with the entire Northeastern region. In this context, considering the long historical relationship between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh it is fitting we strengthen this bond by increasing the exchange of ideas and the rich culture and traditions that both our states share,” Khandu said.
Stating that Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a sea of change in terms of both material and human resource development in the last few decades, Khandu emphasised on the need to strengthen the bond between Northeastern states on issues such as preservation of the ecosystem, cultural trade, tourism and harnessing of human capital.
“To bring about a ‘mountain perspective’ in the national and sub-national planning and policymaking, we hope to collaborate with the government of Sikkim to address our common developmental issues and ensure mutual prosperity in our states,” Khandu said.
Khandu pointed out that earlier the Northeast consisted of seven sisters but with the inclusion of Sikkim as the 8th state, Northeast has become complete.
“Northeast today consists of seven sisters and one brother – Sikkim. We as a family are now complete,” he said.
Khandu cited several sectors that Arunachal Pradesh can learn from Sikkim that includes tourism, organic farming, education and health. He also expressed optimism that the Sikkim government will collaborate with Arunachal Pradesh and move forward on a path of sustainable and mutual development.
As Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are treasure houses of folklore, folk songs, traditional medicine, spiritual healing systems, innate knowledge of mountains, rivers, topography and medicinal plants, Khandu advocated such regular cultural exchange programmes.
He further said that both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh hold promises in the agriculture, horticulture, hydropower and sports sectors, as well.
“We are accelerating our efforts to reach the full potential in these sectors. We believe that with common efforts, shared knowledge and active cooperation between the two states, we can bring prosperity and happiness to our two states,” he said.
Khandu announced that such a programme will next be organised in Shi-Yomi district, and requested the Sikkim government to reciprocate by soon organising cultural exchange events in Sikkim too.
To commemorate the occasion, Khandu dedicated the newly constructed Gyalchen Karma Thrinley Tenne Monastery in the picturesque Sangti Valley to the people.
Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju was also present on the occasion.
The cultural exchange programme was marked by a performance by various cultural troupes from across Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and neighbouring country Bhutan.
Sikkim Chief Minister Tamang, along with speaker LB Das and ministers and MLAs arrived in Tawang on April 22, before attending the ‘Arunachal-Sikkim cultural exchange programme’.