Itanagar, Dec 2: A new Donyi Polo Khumku Namlo Centre was inaugurated at Dasi village in Upper Subansiri district on the occasion of Indigenous Faith Day on Monday to facilitate worship for devotees of Donyi Poloism.
The building, constructed with a grant of Rs 20 lakh from the Department of Indigenous Affairs, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, stands on land voluntarily donated by Yumpor Porgiam Dasi.
The Donyi Polo Khumku Namlo Centre was inaugurated by Advocate Tadu Tamin, ZPM (6–Chetam), in the presence of Dosh Dasi Tamin, Koje Rebi Dasi, GPC (Dasi-VI), and other local leaders and villagers.
Earlier attempts to construct a permanent Namlo had failed due to non-availability of land, despite funds being sanctioned in 2010 and 2016 by former MLAs. Devotees from nearby villages such as Kare, Siga and Mosi had been travelling to Dasi for worship, with many elderly devotees making the journey on foot.
Addressing the gathering, Dosh Dasi Tamin appealed to the community to preserve and promote indigenous faith, customs and traditions, and to continue observing the ban on killing wildlife. Adv Tadu Tamin urged village leaders and youth organisations to stay vigilant against drug abuse and to support cleanliness drives under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
The centre is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the spiritual and cultural life of the local community.