Itanagar: Taking time off his busy schedule, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday visited an indigenous prayer centre in Aalo in West Siang district and joined a prayer session with the Donyi Polo faith followers over there.
In his brief speech, the Chief Minister encouraged the Donyi Polo believers to preserve the tribal faith and culture and appealed to them to make a place of worship in their respective houses “to connect with God.”
Taking to Twitter, Khandu wrote: “Spiritual Sunday! joined a prayer session with the followers of the indigenous Donyi Polo faith at Kargu Gamgww in Aalo. It’s important to follow one’s indigenous faith. Every individual has an important role in preserving their culture. Be proud of who you are and to whom you belong!”
During his address, the CM assured that a conference hall would be constructed in the Tribal Culture Center complex, which is required for meeting purposes. He informed the gathering that “some of the tribal language scripts have already been added to the school curriculum, and the remaining will be taken up.”.
Education, Art & Culture, and Indigenous Affairs Minister Taba Tedir, who along with Home Minister Bamang Felix and others also accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit, said that for the preservation of tribal faith and culture, funds for the construction of indigenous prayer centres have been enhanced by the government. Besides, the indigenous priests of Arunachal are being paid honoraria and issued identity cards.
Felix, in his speech, appealed to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to respect one another’s religion and added that the Hamara Arunachal Abhiyan has created a feeling of oneness among the various tribes of the state.
Among others, MLAs Kento Jini, Nyamar Karbak, Gokar Basar, Hayeng Mangfi, Ojing Tasing, Chau Zingnu Namchum, Kardo Nyigyor, West Siang DC Penga Tato, and SP Abhimanyu Poswal attended the prayer meeting, official sources said.
