Press Release : DIPR : Naharlagun: 20/01/2003

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

NO.IPR(PR)-86/2002 Dated Naharlagun, the 20th January, 2003.

PRESS RELEASE

FESTIVAL OF ARUNACHAL FROM 11-20TH FEBRUARY, 2003

The air of festivity engulfed Arunachal Pradesh with the celebration of a series of festivals like Buddha Mahatsava in the month of October followed by Parasuram Kund Mela and Brahmaputra Darshan in January. The celebration culminate by organizing the festival of Arunachal commemorating the Statehood day on February 20 every year. This year the festival of Arunachal will be celebrated from February 11 to 20th 2003 with its great finale on Statehood day. The format of festival is designed in such a way to differ the celebration from the conventional way of celebration, according to Secretary ( Tourism ) and coordinator festival of Arunachal. Festival of Arunachal aims to capture the essence of Arunachal displaying the splendor of rich and diverse life of the people of the state. The cultural troupes from all districts will perform in the festival. It aims to provide marketing opportunity for local handicrafts, to unveil the variety of rich local cuisine, to market tourism potential of the State and to preserve indigenous sports/games, arts, crafts and cultural forms which are on their way to extinction. It will provide an opportunity where the general public can participate enthusiastically and enjoy the festival. For providing an opportunity to all districts, their participation has been envisaged in various events. District Days will be observed on different days. One of the important components of festival is District Pavilions, displaying the best of the district in terms of handicrafts, arts, culture or economic development. A best district shall be chosen on the conclusion of the festival and Deputy commissioner of the district shall be given a Festival of Arunachal Trophy on next statehood day. The trophy shall be given on the basis of overall performance of the district in various events. The developmental departments shall showcase the achievements of the state in various sectors. Food festival, unveiling the choicest dishes of various tribes is expected to do a roaring business. The competition of the locally produced brew, apong etc. shall be an important highlight of the food festival. The flower show will display the rich bio-diversity of he state. The festival will not be complete without providing and opportunity to the people to witness the cultures of the various states of the country. The cultural teams from various zonal cultural centres are being invited to perform during the festival. The National School of Drama and Sangeet Natak Academy are also expected to perform during the festival. The exhibition stalls shall continue throughout the day. However, cultural events shall be held from 5.00 PM onwards everyday. The events shall be held simultaneously at the twin capitalties of Itanagar and Naharlagun.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL OF ARUNACHAL

1. Departmental Stalls: One section will have developmental departments in various sectors showcasing the achievements of the State.

2. Trade Fair: It will be organized with help of Arunachal Chamber of commerce and Industry and the Market Welfare Associations. Dealers covering the whole spectrum of consumer goods including various branded white goods will present products with festival discounts. No fee will be charged from them for the stalls. The interested traders can contact ADC Itanagar.

3. Handicrafts Expo: Director (Textiles and Handicrafts ) will organize crafts Bazaar/Handicrafts Expo housing the best of handicrafts of the state with artisans carrying out live demonstration. Director (T&H), NGOs and other cooperatives actively involved in the production and marketing of handicrafts, will also set up stalls in this section.

4. Bio-diversity Festival: State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) will organize flower/orchid show and competition. Agriculture deptt, horticulture deptt, Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, medicinal plants wing etc. will also take part. Apart from showcasing progress in the Horticulture mission/Floriculture mission, competition on quality fruits, vegetables, rice and other cereals will be organized.

5. Food Festival: Emphasis will be on the choicest local cuisine of the state and not just on typical Indian food. Director ( Tourism ) is working with known foodies and experts local cuisine. Choicest local brew/beer of a variety of cereals, vegetables and fruits will also be available with prizes for best brews.

6. Cultural Functions: Every evening during the Festival in IG Park Itanagar and in Naharlagun, cultural programmes will be held from 5.00 pm onwards. These programmes will be organized by Director (Art & Culture). The best of traditional cultural items from each of the districts will be performed by cultural troupes to be sent from each district by the DCs. Cultural troupes from various zonal cultural centres will also participate to perform the best of traditional & classical dances of the country. Participation of Sangeet Natak Academy and National School of Drama is expected.

7. Fashion Show: Dir (T&H) will organize a fashion show with traditional patterns, motifs and designs of the local textiles. The NIFT designs of eri/munga silk will also be showcased.

8. Beauty Contest: The DC, Papum Pare Distt. Will organize a beauty contest with one participant from each of the 15 districts to be selected by respective DCs concerned.

9. Book Fair: The book fair will have books from National Book Trust including books on the north east. This being organized by the DC, Papum Pare distt. In association with NBT.

10. Sports festival: The sports festival will be organized by Director (Sports & Youth Affairs) with few events of modern sports & games such as marathon and football. The main emphasis will be on demonstrations of indigenous/traditional sports/games from each of the districts with atleast one traditional sport a day. Apart from this, demonstration of aerobics and a few other items will be done by Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy.

11. District Pavilions: Each district will be given one pavilion octagonal in shape with an area of about 100 sq.m. The pavilion will be representative of the district with the best of the district in every field including the unique elements being showcased. The Pavilions have to be conceived and designed by the DCs. All arrangements in connection with the District Pavilion have to be done by the DC.

( PURABI TAIKAM ) PRO,
Information Public Relations & Printing,
Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Naharlagun.