Itanagar, Sep 10: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Thursday called for concerted efforts to preserve indigenous languages, oral traditions and traditional knowledge, stressing that cultural heritage must remain an integral part of Arunachal Pradesh’s development journey.
The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing the first-ever Leyi Banggo Central Solung Giidi Celebration 2026 at the GPS General Playground (Leyi Banggo Dolung Akngo) under Ruksin circle in East Siang district.
The celebration brought together community elders, leaders, youth and cultural practitioners to showcase and celebrate the traditions, music, dance, oral literature and collective heritage of the Leyi Banggo community.
Mein said modernisation and globalisation were opening new opportunities, but communities must remain connected to their roots. He stressed the need to document and preserve indigenous languages, oral literature, traditional knowledge, songs, stories and cultural practices using modern technology for future generations.
“If need be, we must create more teachers’ posts for teaching local dialects with a view to preserving and promoting indigenous languages and dialects,” he said.
“Globalisation has taught us many things, but it has not taught us our traditions. We should never lose our spirit and our roots,” Mein said.
He urged the younger generation to take the lead in preserving and promoting their cultural heritage. Appreciating local youths for creating music, videos and other creative works, he said modern digital platforms could be effectively used to document and promote indigenous culture.
Mein particularly emphasised the vulnerability of oral traditions, which have traditionally been transmitted from one generation to another. He called for the creation of audio-visual archives documenting indigenous systems, songs, stories, oral literature and traditional knowledge.
Referring to indigenous knowledge systems, including traditional healing practices, he stressed the need for systematic documentation to ensure that knowledge accumulated over generations is not lost.
The Deputy Chief Minister said cultural preservation should be viewed as an essential component of development.
“Development cannot be achieved through infrastructure alone. We also need to preserve and promote our culture. Culture is our way of living, and our development must preserve our way of life and identity,” he said.
Mein said Arunachal Pradesh’s journey towards becoming a developed State and India’s progress towards a developed nation must remain inclusive of all communities, languages and cultural identities. He also called for stronger indigenous cultural institutions and greater cooperation between government and communities.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining cordial relations with neighbouring communities, Mein said, “One can change his or her friends, but one cannot change one’s neighbours.” He stressed the need to preserve the longstanding social, cultural, economic and matrimonial ties between Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring Assam.
He also appealed to people to use social media responsibly, saying it should promote healthy dialogue, mutual respect and constructive exchange of ideas rather than quarrels, disputes or personal attacks.
Responding to a demand raised by the people of Leyi Banggo for creation of a separate administrative circle covering the five villages of Depi, Moli, Detak, Debing and Poplung, the Deputy Chief Minister assured that the proposal would be examined and placed before the Cabinet for consideration.
Mein extended his greetings to the people of Leyi Banggo and others celebrating Solung and expressed hope that the Central Solung Giidi would evolve into a strong platform for cultural preservation, community unity and intergenerational transmission of indigenous traditions.
The celebration was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing, Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao, MLAs Ninong Ering, Tojir Kadu and Tapi Darang, BJP State president Kaling Moyong, ABK (apex) president Tanon Tatak, former MLA Tatung Jamoh, ZPMs of East Siang and Lower Siang, and others.
The day-long programme featured traditional and cultural presentations, including Nene-Ponung by Ponung Mimum, besides performances by Kenna-Tarem and her troupe and renowned singers Mary Dalbong and Dev Taid.