From A Correspondent
PASIGHAT, Aug 26: Aiming at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Adi community, East Siang Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani dedicated the Pasighat-located Ethno Museum, set up by the Giidang Angong Society, to the community in a ceremony held here on Tuesday.
Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, the DC applauded the Society for establishing the community-driven museum and said the initiative has fulfilled a ‘vision’ she had discussed with various Heads of Departments when she was first posted in the district.
She described the museum as having the potential to become an important tourist attraction and assured that the district administration would help address existing gaps and support the future development of the museum.
Pasighat DFO Boken Pao, while appreciating the initiative, suggested that the Society ensure the information displayed inside the museum remains clearly legible from a distance of around two metres. He also encouraged the Society to introduce revenue-generating activities to make the museum more sustainable.
Pao assured support for planting more trees in the surrounding area and suggested identifying their botanical and Adi names, which could then be printed and provided to the museum for display. He further suggested developing accommodation facilities for visiting guests.
The Society spokesperson, Tobom Dai said the museum was established with the objective of preserving the traditional methods, practices and cultural identity of the Adi tribe. He recalled that the Society began informally in 2007 as a group of friends from the Bogong Balek area who came together to support one another. Over the years, the group evolved into a collective working for the welfare of people and villages in the surrounding areas.
District Art and Culture Officer Monnong Tayeng, District Tourism Officer Lina Perme, and members of the Society, among others, were also present.