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

NO.IPR(PR)-86/2002                                                        Dated Naharlagun, the 13th April 2004


                                                                         PRESS RELEASE

Press Release     : Pongtu festival of Tutsa tribe celebrated at Changlang

         CHANGLANG:-April 11th, 2004 Amidst slight drizzling the Pongtu festival of tutsa tribe was celebrated here today in a traditional fervour. The Deputy Commissioner Shri T. Tapok and Supdt. of Police Shri H. Tamang were Chief guest and guest of honour  of the occasion respectively.

    Tutsa a small tribal community  resides in the dual district of Tirap and Changlang  and celebrates the festival which is mainly an agriculture based . T he celebration carries the message of peace and prosperity  and spread brotherhood among the Tutsa community and human being as a  whole .

    Shri Tapak speaking on the occasion  wished everyone a happy Pongtu  and prayed the Rangkhothak(God) for good crop and harvest in the coming year . Later he donated Rs 10,000/- to the celebration committee.

    "Such festivals portrays the identity of the society"said  Shri H Tamang, SP Changlang .He also urged the people to preserve  the same in the fast  globally changing society. Shri Tamang also donated Rs2000/- to the committee.

           Earlier Shri W Pongte Ex minister welcomed  all the guests and emphasized the importance of the Pongtu festival. Other dignitories  present on the occasion were     T Ngemu  Ex minister ,the Commandant of 39 Assam Rifles ,Shri A.K Sharma and aadministrative officers of Changlang district.

     The prograamme  was coloured by Pongtu and Sotsa-Sehan dances and varieties of other traditional and cultural items. Later the festival concluded with a colourful cultural programme and a dinner party at the Circuit house, Changlang.