The state’s Department of Tourism going with the adage of “Athithi Devo Bhava” had put in their best effort and offered an unmissable season to the visitors at the Arunachal Spring Carnival 2015 held at East Siang District from March 17 to 19.

Tradition, fashion, style and heart stopping excitement all met in the glorious setting at one of the most anticipated Arunachal Spring Carnival. The quality of Arunachal Spring Carnival was simply outstanding for complete three days and the action was relentless!

For tourists seeking adventure - rock climbing, angling, All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) drives, paragliding, parasailing and joy ride organized at the event made sure the visitors experience the ultimates.It provided the tourists with verdant valleys, misty mountain peaks, swift rivers and the finest wildlife sanctuaries.

It was for the first time ever that the Department of Tourism offered the visitors a best holiday package and an opportunity for everyone to experience a piece of Arunachal’s oldest town history and tradition by organizing a three-day mega tourism Arunachal Spring Carnival 2015 with the tagline “Celebrating life, Celebrating Arunachal” at the picturesque Sile Leging at Pasighat, East Siang District.

In Focus: Showcase culture to promote tourism

The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Lt Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma declared the three-day mega tourism festival open amidst thunderous applause from the crowd on March 17, 2015. This maiden ‘Arunachal Spring Carnival’ earlier was popularly known as Siang River Festival.

The governor stressed on the need for showcasing the state’s rich indigenous tribal heritage and nature’s bounty to promote tourism and called for tapping the rich cultural heritage of the state.

He also advocated the concept of homestay facilities involving local communities. “The mighty Siang River not only provides livelihood to locals but also offers a water sports opportunities. If properly tapped, these would open a floodgate of tourists to Arunachal,” he added. “We can also improve our tourism sector by taking care of a few important factors, like proper connectivity and accommodation facilities with clean and hygienic food, ATM kiosks, handicraft and local crafts sales facilities and basic hygienic amenities at halting points and en-route. Then, we would have a large number of domestic and international tourists visiting Siang,” he added.

Calling for sustained efforts to create more awareness and bringing the state on the global tourism map, Sharma said, “With festivals like the Spring Carnival being held in various parts of the state, we can not only attract a large number of tourists in the near future, but also bring in investments in the infrastructure sector to enhance connectivity.”

“Infrastructural facilities, including roads, are being constructed at a war footing due to which the inflow of domestic and foreign tourists are increasing by the day,” he said.

“As part of our policy, we must continue to equal economic opportunities to local communities and preserve the fragile eco-system and ethnic identity of the people,” he said.

Also present at the inaugural function were Tourism Minister Pema Khandu, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mama Natung, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture etc Mutchu Mithi, Parliamentary Secretary for IPR etc Bamang Felix, MLA Menchukha P.D. Sona, DIG (Eastern Range) LH Shanliana, Secretary Tourism Dr Joram Beda and East Siang DC Nidhi Srivastava, among others.

Delight for the adventure seekers

“I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky” and to experience that very feeling, paragliding a recreational and competitive adventure sport to showcase air sports to the general public and to attract new participants for joy ride to the much delight and enthrallment for the visitors for the first time in Pasighat was introduced along with All Terrain Vehicles rides in the festival venue at Sile Leging, four kilometers away from Pasighat.

The white water river rafting and angling event restricted to shore angling competition held at River Siang in Bodak Village where total of 6 teams for the rafting and 12 anglers for angling competition participated was the major attraction stealing the limelight of the three-day event. The white water river rafting event held on March 17 was flagged off by the MLA Pasighat Kaling Moyong.

Lack of exploration is the main reason why most people are not aware about exciting conditions and angling opportunities available in our state, said one of the anglers participating in the angling competition.

“Our team of sport fishing experts is exploring and studying the areas along the Siang River which will make it possible for us to identify and develop these unique locations in near future for more angling events,” said Nino Dai who is a ground coordinator of the festival.

Night Extravaganza

On the carnival, colourful cultural dance presented by different troupes of state was the highlights besides Fashion Show presented by designer Kari Lombi dazzling the crowd with her ethnic creations. The models draped in dazzling dresses of Kari Lombi, both ethnic and modern, looked awesome and was a complete package of entertainment. The Arunachal Spring Carnival event was also an attractive place for food lovers to taste ethnic foods of the Adi tribe.

The musical night presented by the local legendary artists like Omak Komut Collectives, Nabam Bijnoo, Anumoti Sisam and Delong Padung besides hit numbers from the likes of bands like Digital Suicide, Yesterdrive, Sacred Secrecy, Royal Flush, Street Stories and Imphal talkies needs no introduction.

The spectacular opening act at the night by the live performer of Tetseo Sisters and Guru Rewben Mashangwa dressed in their traditional outfit energized the crowd with their classic songs and the fireworks show closed out the night.