‘Abhinandan Arunachal’ event was held at Indore in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday where Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh ,Chowna Mein attended with the Minister of Tourism, Nakap Nalo, Advisor Tourism, Laisam Simai, MLA Tezu, Karikho Kri and Director Tourism, Abu Tayeng.

The program was organised by VIPRA Foundation, a social organisation, with an objective to highlight the potential of Arunachal Tourism and to promote its Spiritual Tourism in the mainland of India.

While attending the event Chowna Mein said that Arunachal Pradesh despite having vast tourism potential is very little known in other parts of India especially in the mainland of India. He further added that Arunachal Pradesh is a home to 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes each having their  own distinct culture, traditions and customs. He said that the diversity of the State is as that of India, so it may also be called ‘Mini – India’. Arunachal  with the five climatic zones from Tropical to Alpine Zone, also makes it one of the top bio-diversity hotspot in the world.

While mentioning about Arunachal having the long historical linkage since the age of Mahabharata He informed that it was from Bhismaknagar in present Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh that ‘Rukmini Haran’ took place. Lord Krishna along with Rukmini Devi rested in a place called Malinithan, which is in present Lower Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh on their way to Tezpur, located in Assam.

Additionally he also said that Arunachal  also have the tallest ‘Shiv Linga’ in the country at Ziro and Parshuram Kund in Lohit River, one of the holiest place where Bhagwan Parshuram washed away his sins after he killed his own mother while obeying the command of his father. While informing about the famous pilgrimage site Parshuram Kund visited by devotees and thousands of people for holy bath he told about the ‘Parshuram Mela’ conducted every year to facilitate the Hindu pilgrims in the State. He added that with the support of the Centre and the social organizations like VIPRA Foundation, it can be developed as ‘Kumb of the East’ .

Chowna Mein also highlighted the Buddhist religious places of the state in Namsai, Mechukha, Tuting and Bomdila-Tawang which are also major tourist attractions for the Buddhists pilgrims.

The deputy CM expressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a vision to see India into a developed country by the year 2047 for which all must resolved and work towards it collectively. Mein further added that to response to the call of Modi to take up the responsibility and to fulfill the dreams of the freedom fighters in the next 25 years when the country attains 100 years of independence.

Tourism Minister, Nakap Nalo said that Arunachal Pradesh can offer tourism in any forms from adventure to nature, religious, research, cultural, eco-tourism, etc with abundant natural beauties and hospitable people. He added that following  the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tourism policy, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, State Govt of Arunachal Pradesh have also launched ‘Dekho Apna Pradesh’ to promote Arunachal tourism.

Nalo invited the people from the mainland of India to visit  Arunachal Pradesh and explore the beauty of nature, religious & cultural diversity of this Himalayan state.

Meanwhile VIPRA Foundation founder Sushil Ojha, highlighted the importance of organising the event and called for cultural integrations and promotion of religious tourism.

Appreciating the  initiatives taken by both the Centre as well as Arunachal Pradesh government for development of Parshuram Kund, he said that Parshuram Kund would witness  significant increase of Indian tourists from lakhs to crores in years to come which would contribute in economic development of the state.

The event also witnessed the launch of  ‘Parshuram Kund Amantran Yatra’.  It will start from 8th November’ 2022 and end on 8th January’ 2023. Through the Yatra, spiritual importance of #ParshuramKund will be highlighted across the country to make it into a major tourist destination.