GOVERNMENT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
                                     DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION PUBLIC RELATIONS & PRINTING
                                                                        // NAHARLAGUN //

NO.IPR(PR)-86/2002                                                                                       Dated Naharlagun, the 30th January, 2003.

                                                                         PRESS RELEASE

TEZU, 28th Jan, 2003: 

All existing obstacles including Restricted Area Permit and   Inner Line permit hampering development of tourism in Arunachal Pradesh will be lifted soon, said Shah Nawaz Hussain, Union Minister of Civil Aviation today while participating as Chief Guest on the occasion of  3rd Brahmaputra Darshan Festival beginning at Tezu for three days from 28th Jan.  The Minister assured his  ministry would prioritise air connectivity in the state for development of tourism and the state’s all-round progress.   He further announced that his ministry would soon depute a team of officials to inspect Tezu airport for considering its  upgradation into a full-fledged airport .   Apprising the people of centre’s initiative in developing the state through implementation of various schemes on road and  drinking water, he also reassured the centre’s  keen resolve in bringing rapid economic development in the entire north-east region.

State Governor Arvind  Dave, speaking on the occasion said that because of the strategically sensitive nature of the state and its poor communication infrastructure, center should initiate  special development programmes for its rapid progress.   He further appealed to the Union Minister to redress existing bottlenecks in development process including RAP and Inner Line Permit.   Earlier, Nakul Chai, MOS for RWD, while welcoming  the dignitaries and the people, said that besides its natural beauties, Arunachal Pradesh has enormous historical sites that can be developed into popular tourist places. He further said that the Brahmaputra River symbolizes the unity and integrity of the country, and appealed to the union minister to help boost rapid economic progress of the state.   Earlier in the morning State Chief Minister  Mukut Mithi unfurled the festival flag at main festival ground in presence of some of  his cabinet colleaques, officers, public and members of cultural troupes   He also inaugurated a tourist lodge at Tezu on his arrival.   A host of  dignitaries including Rajasthan Governor Justice Anshuman Singh, state governor Arvind Dave,  a host of ministers from the state, cultural troupes from different districts and a huge public were also present on the occasion    In the 3 day event, various programmes including elephant race, boat race, aero-sports, safaris, exhibitions, food festival and cultural display etc are being organized. 

The  festival, the third of its kind in the state, is a part of the ongoing center-state joint project to highlight enormous tourism potentials of the state for its rapid  economic development .

TEZU, 30th Jan, 2003: 

The three-day extravaganza of the third Brahmaputra Darshan   Festival that began from Tuesday at Tezu concluded this evening with prize distribution ceremony followed by yet another round of splendid cultural show.

Yesterday,  in a river puja, the chief guest Shah Nawaz Hussain, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Justice Anshuman Singh, Governor of Rajasthan immersed holy  Ganga water into the Central Lohit river near Alubari, thus symbolizing emotional and
geographical unity of the nation.  On the occasion a boat race, display of traditional songs and dances, besides exhibition of twine crossing over rivers by local Mishmis were also conducted. A record gathering of twenty thousand  people, many of them from neighbouring Assam state thronged the venue. Shortly after  the celebrations at Central Lohit, an innovative event of elephant race was also organized at Khalikhulla bank in which thirty elephants competed .  A large and enthralled crowd including the dignitaries witnessed the unique race.  In order  to expose the district’s rich tourism potentials, two helicopter trips were also organized to Walong, an exquisitely beautiful place located at 200kms away from  Tezu towards China border . About 48 persons including dignitaries including dignitaries and tourists journeyed to the location to enjoy its unique natural
beauties .

Other highlights of the last two-day celebrations were para gliding, ballooning, bicycle race in the morning flagged off by State Chief  Minister Mukut Mithi, exhibition of local games, food festival and cultural events where renowned singers from various places participated .

DIPRO, TEZU