ITANAGAR, Nov 12: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik on Thursday inaugurated the five-day Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav at the Festival-cum-Multipurpose Ground in Tawang, emphasising that India's unity lies in respecting and celebrating its diversity.
The Governor said the festival provides a common national platform for diverse communities to showcase their languages, traditions, music, dance and art forms, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Describing cultural festivals as living expressions of a society's identity, history and collective wisdom, he said such events play an important role in preserving India's rich heritage for future generations, promoting national integration through cultural exchange and boosting tourism while creating opportunities for local artisans and performers.
He appreciated the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur, the Department of Art and Culture, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Tawang district administration for organising the festival.
Addressing the youth, the Governor urged them to embrace modern opportunities while remaining connected to their cultural roots. He encouraged them to learn their mother tongues, folk songs, dances, traditional crafts and indigenous knowledge from elders and document these traditions through digital archives, films and social media.
He also called upon cultural gurus to mentor young talents and urged cultural institutions and government departments to organise village-level workshops, school exchanges and youth camps to promote cultural awareness and preservation.
Emphasising that safeguarding cultural heritage is a collective responsibility, the Governor said preservation should remain a living community practice rather than merely an exercise in documentation.
Expressing hope that the festival would strengthen friendship, mutual respect and national pride, he said such initiatives would inspire future generations to contribute towards building a Viksit Bharat that is modern in outlook, inclusive in spirit and rooted in its rich cultural heritage.
Expressing hope that the festival would strengthen friendship, mutual respect and national pride, he said such initiatives would inspire future generations to contribute towards building a Viksit Bharat that is modern in outlook, inclusive in spirit and rooted in its rich cultural heritage.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Samar Nanda, and Director, NEZCC, Dimapur, Alobo Naga, also addressed the gathering.
The Governor's better half Anagha Parnaik; Director of Zonal Cultural Centres Pallavi Prashant Holkar; Secretary, Department of Art and Culture and Secretary to the Governor, Mamata Riba Naksang; and Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, were among those present at the inaugural function.
The inaugural ceremony featured performances by Tashi Drema Gyamo of Arunachal Pradesh, KC Lights Choir of Meghalaya and a grand cultural choreography showcasing the eight northeastern states and six Zonal Cultural Centres.
More than 500 artists and performers, including folk and classical troupes, are participating in the five-day festival. Art exhibitions, traditional cuisines, choir performances and live shows by renowned artistes are among the major attractions of the event.