Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu have greeted the people of the state on the eve of Solung, the most popular festival of the Adi community of the state.
Solung is an annual agro-based festival celebrated in the first week of September after the sowing of seeds and transplantation, and ritual offerings are made for the protection of crops against epidemics
and bestowing of bumper harvest. Ponung songs and dances are performed by womenfolk during the festival.
In his message, the Governor said that the Solung Festival is the embodiment of the Adi way of socio-cultural and religious life.
The Adi community, since time immemorial, has been celebrating this festival with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm primarily to propitiate their deities, and beseech them for bumper harvest of crops, wellness of domestic animals, peace, prosperity and happiness of the people. Importantly, this festivity promotes the benevolent relationship between man and nature, he said.
“On this auspicious occasion, I offer my prayers to ‘Kine Nane’, the Goddess of crops and prosperity, ’Dadi Bote’, the God of Animal kingdom, ’Doying-Bote’, the God of Wisdom and all other benevolent deities to shower their blessings to the entire mankind and herald a long period of peace, progress and prosperity for one and all,” the Governor wished in his message.
“I also take this opportunity to urge my dear people of our State, Arunachal Pradesh, to observe all precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic by strictly adhering to COVID Appropriate Behaviour of effective use of face mask, frequent washing of hands, social distancing, i.e. ‘Do Gaz Ki Doori’ and taking the COVID protection vaccine, its two doses, at the earliest, without any apprehension of any kind,” the Governor appealed.
In his message, CM Pema Khandu said, “Ours is a distinct state with several tribes and communities residing side by side for ages maintaining their unique indigenous culture and traditions. Despite our varied diversity, we as Arunachalees are united and take pride in our indigenous cultural heritage. This cultural mosaic has to be maintained, preserved and propagated at all costs while keeping intact our unity in diversity. I believe this celebration of Solung would prove a major catalyst towards achieving this goal,” he said in a message here this evening.
Khandu said that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the spirit and energy of Solung will not dampen, and called everyone to join the celebrations.
He, however, requested the revelers to follow COVID appropriate behaviour, so that the spread of the virus is avoided.
State Assembly Speaker P D Sona also extended warm greetings to the people on Solung festival and expressed hope that the festival will usher in universal peace, bumper harvest, prosperity and good health for all.
