With sobriquets like “The Hidden Paradise” “Land of Dawn Lit Mountains” this beautiful land of Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh through mega event of Tawang festival is sure to render an opportunity to put Tawang on the International tourist map. The festival is organized with a purpose to showcase the vivid & varied cultures of Tawang and Northeast India besides exploiting the Natures amusing challenges with adventure sports such as Para-gliding, Mountain Biking, Rappelling, Trekking etc.

“The day is not far, when we will have largest number of tourists, both domestic and international coming to Arunachal Pradesh,”

The people of “Monpa” tribe who are like the place, beautiful and friendly, inhabit this beautiful land of hidden paradise. The beauty of the place and the serenity of the religion they practice guide their demeanor. Despite the hardships of existence in far-flung place of Tawang, the people enjoy life, are convivial warm and hospitable and with the bubbling urge to make the most of God’s Natural Bounty.

Fairs and festivals have always been an integral part of the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh. Festival provides the people with occasions to get together and enjoy the spirit of brotherhood. They mirror the rich culture of the people of Tawang, their artistic genius and skill in expressing themselves through music and dance occupy the main place in the celebration of festival.

The first edition of 5 day long Tawang Festival was declared open by Governor J. J. Singh in presence of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki including Tourism Minister Pema Khandu, WRD Minister Newlai Tingkhatra, UD and Town Planning Minister Rajesh Tacho and Parliamentary Secretaries T. N Thongdok, P. D Sona, Jambey Tashi, Tsewang Dhondup, Phurpa Tsering and R. T Khunjuju.

“Tashi Delek”, Rahul Gandhi in his maiden visit to remote Tawang amidst thunderous applause greeted the people in the local Monpa dialect. In his chaste Hindi, he said that every single person of the country must be involved in governance to move ahead as a progressive country.
 
The whole of Tawang zeroed in on the Tawang Festival ground to have a glimpse of their beloved youth icon of Congress. Gandhi attended the event on its penultimate day, air-dashing from Delhi via Tezpur on an IAF chopper.

“If we don’t involve people of all walks of life, especially the backward class in the governance, our nation will not move ahead,” he said while informing about the national flagship programmes like MNREGA and SSA.

He added that such national flagship programmes give opportunities to everyone of the country for better employment and livelihood.

Asserting that special attention is being by the Government of India to Arunachal Pradesh, Gandhi said the mega PM’s package provided to the state is exceptional and no other state in India had received such a huge package in terms of funds.

“This clearly proves the keen interest of the Centre to see Arunachal at par with other developed states,” the young Gandhi pointed.

“If we don’t involve people of all walks of life, especially the backward class in the governance, our nation will not move ahead,”

He expressed optimism that with implementation of the mega package Arunachal will see a new light of development with proper air, railway and road connectivity.

Marveling at the dance performances by various tribes and sub-tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, Gandhi commented that ‘we are different flowers of the same bouquet -different in culture yet same in spirit’.

Welcoming Rahul, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki in his speech recalled the Nehru-Gandhi contributions in shaping Arunachal Pradesh and the special bond shared by the people with the family.

“Though it is your first visit to Tawang but your great grandfather Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, grandmother Indira, your father Rajiv and our leader madam Sonia has visited Tawang and showered their blessings to our people,” he said.

He informed Rahul that the developmental package bestowed by the Center is being properly implemented in construction of a four lane road to connect the State Capital, Trans Arunachal Highway, Railway line to Itanagar, Green field Airport, etc.

Tuki sought Rahul’s intervention in getting sanction for construction of road from Lumla to Rangia via Tashigong (Bhutan) while stating that it will pave way for opening up of border trade with Bhutan and also shorten the distance from Tawang to Rangia by around 260 kms. He also sought Rahul’s cooperation in getting sanction for construction of a short take-off and landing (STOL) Airport at Lumla and reconstruction of Stillwell road in Changlang to boost border trade with Myanmar and other South East Asian countries.

“NHPC is doing survey and investigation for construction of a Tunnel road from Senge to Jang which will not only cut short a distance of about 60 KMs but will also serve as all weather road which will help in easy movement of traffic and transporting heavy machineries for Hydro Power projects in Tawang”, he informed while seeking support for approval of this project by the Center.

Congratulating  the  people  of  Tawang,  the Governor  wished  that  the  five-day  tourism festival will take Tawang a notch higher in the tourism  map  of  the  world. He expressed happiness that Tawang has become the face of Arunachal Pradesh in the last couple of years and appreciated the natives for it.

“I am confident that this unique and impressive celebration will showcase the colourful and diverse culture of Arunachal Pradesh in general and Tawang in particular and provide a boost to our collective efforts towards promoting ‘Arunachal Tourism’, the governor said.

“I always maintain that Arunachal Pradesh has the potential to be leader in tourism sector in the country.  It has immense potential for eco tourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism, religious tourism and rural tourism. The Governor also said that he strongly advocated for exploiting the tourism potential of Arunachal Pradesh during Governors’ Conference at New Delhi last year, which was very much acknowledged by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. “The day is not far, when we will have largest number of tourists, both domestic and international coming to Arunachal Pradesh,” Singh claimed.

Later, Rahul also paid homage at the 400-year-old Galden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery, popularly known as Tawang Monastery and laid foundation stone of the Rajiv Gandhi High Altitude Sports Complex at Tawang to be funded by the Center before flying-off the region to New Delhi.

The name ‘Tawang’ means Chosen Horse. It is also known by another Buddhist name, Galden Namgey Lhatse, which means a true name within a celestial paradise in a clear night. The sight of tranquil water of lakes and cloud crested mountains and blue sky overhead gives heart touching experience to visitors. The rocky hills loaded with beautiful wild colourful flowers produce a sight of eternal beauty.

Tawang’s panoramic beauty cannot be fleshed out merely by words, the scenic beauty is incomparable. This place is a heavenly tryst with nature and the potpourri of history, religion and legends. During the fest, the rich traditions and cultures of the Monpas and other tribes, various tourist and religious places like the Tawang Monastery in the district was showcased. The Tawang monastery, second largest monastery in Asia and the largest in India was founded by the Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso in accordance to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso. In addition, the town has handicrafts center which promotes the small-scale industries for local handicrafts.

Cultural shows, Photo exhibition, fashion show, art and cultural presentation, food stall, bollywood star night, adventure sports such as mountain climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, camping etc. were the other attraction of the event.

NEXTYEAR, DON’T LET YOUR POCKET DISHEARTEN YOU; YOU SHOULD BE THERE TO EXPERIENCE THE FESTIVAL OF DREAMS.

Chow Bilaseng Namchoom