ITANAGAR, Oct 9: A coffee table book trilogy showcasing the cultural heritage, spiritual traditions and natural wealth of Arunachal Pradesh was launched at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday.
Titled The Sap Runs Perennial, Ladders to Heaven and The Wild Green Kingdom, the trilogy was unveiled by Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik, along with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation and Planning, and MoS for Culture, Rao Inderjit Singh, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok K Lahiri.
Authored by military historian, author, photographer and documentary filmmaker Shiv Kunal Verma, the publication has been supported by Vallabh Bhansali, trustee of the Global Vipassana Foundation and co-founder and chairman of ENAM Securities, in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor described the trilogy as much more than a collection of photographs, calling it a comprehensive portrayal of Arunachal Pradesh as a living civilisation shaped by diverse cultures, enduring spiritual traditions and extraordinary natural wealth.
He said the volumes capture the traditions, festivals, crafts and indigenous knowledge of the state's communities, while showcasing its monasteries, sacred sites, indigenous faiths and spiritual heritage. They also document the state's forests, rivers, mountains, wildlife, orchids and rich biodiversity.
Describing the publication as “a window to Arunachal Pradesh and an ambassador for the State,” Parnaik said it would introduce national and international audiences to the state's cultural richness, ecological treasures and tourism potential.
The Governor expressed confidence that the books, by reaching embassies, institutions, libraries and readers across the world, would generate greater interest in Arunachal Pradesh among travellers, researchers, photographers, cultural enthusiasts and investors.
He also highlighted the trilogy's role in documenting and preserving the heritage of a state home to 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes, each with distinct traditions, languages and cultural practices. He said the publication would serve as a lasting record for future generations and encourage young people to value and preserve their cultural identity.
Parnaik noted that the books also portray a changing Arunachal Pradesh, making progress in connectivity, tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, education and infrastructure while remaining rooted in its cultural and ecological values.
He commended Verma for creating a visual and literary archive capturing both the beauty of the state's landscapes and the spirit of its people, and appreciated Bhansali for supporting the publication.
The Governor expressed confidence that the trilogy would carry the stories, landscapes and aspirations of Arunachal Pradesh beyond its borders, encouraging people to discover and appreciate the state's unique identity as the Land of the Rising Sun.