Itanagar: Paying a visit to Khonsa in Tirap district, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Friday inaugurated a slew of development projects, including two MHA-funded Police Stations, in presence of PHE & Water Supply and DoTCL Minister Wangki Lowang, MP Tapir Gao and other dignitaries, official sources said on Saturday.
The newly launched projects are ‘Upgradation of Police Station at Khonsa under TCL (Tirap-Changlang-Longding) Action Plan @ Rs 5.25 crore and a Rs 10.03-crore new Police Station at Katang built under TCL Action Plan, an indigenous prayer cum culture centre ‘Khathak Rang Rangsoam Hum’ (Rs 1 Cr) funded under the Department of Indigenous Affairs, and a sub-divisional office of Hydropower Department, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing a gathering in the inauguration program at the Culture Centre, Mein congratulated the members of Tirap Indigenous People’s Society (TIPS) on getting the beautiful ‘Khathak Rang Rangsoam Hum’ in the heart of Khonsa town.
He urged the people of Tirap irrespective of different denominations, languages, tribes to come together to preserve, protect and promote their traditional culture and heritage for posterity.
The Department of Indigenous Affairs has planned to construct atleast two Indigenous Culture Centre each in all 25 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, disclosed Mein while calling for proper utilization of the same.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by the TIPS, the Dy Chief Minister announced Rs 10 lakh for construction of a building for priests within the Khathak Rang Rangsoam Hum complex.
In his speech, local MP Tapir Gao appealed to the people of eastern Arunachal specially TCL districts to preserve and promote traditional culture which is the identity of every society and every community.
“There cannot be a society without culture and languages – as such mother tongue must be taught to the kids by the parents,” Gao said and added that the Chieftainship system in Nocte and Wancho communities is one of the best village councils to preserve, protect and promote culture and traditions.
Minister Wangki Lowang, who is also the chief patron of TIPS, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, the program began with Rangtam [offering of Jumin (rice beer) to the Almighty Rang] by chief guest and other dignitaries followed by lighting of lamp and mass prayer, Rang Juh Tha, purification and spiritual healing led by Rangfra Society of Changlang and TIPS members.
