Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday inaugurated the three-day Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) at Nampong in Changlang district.
The festival was last held in 2020. It was suspended in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained inactive since then. This year, after a four-year hiatus, the festival is being celebrated from January 20 to 22.
This year’s festival features cultural troupes from 26 diverse tribal communities and three from Myanmar, creating a captivating showcase of unity and cultural richness.
The Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) at Nampong is back with a vibrant bang after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.@ArunachalTsm @tourismgoi @TribalAffairsIn @MDoNER_India @MinOfCultureGoI
1/2 pic.twitter.com/Jr060aWsOU
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) January 20, 2025
Inaugurating the event, CM Khandu said, “The event is a mesmerizing blend of tribal traditions, pulsating beats, and vibrant hues, celebrating the harmony of heritage and diversity.”
The chief minister also explored exhibition stalls featuring diverse food, textiles, art, crafts, traditional artifacts, and cultural displays at the festival.
He said the state government will curate and restore all remnants of World War II at Nampong.
The historical site, he said, would be redeveloped to attract tourists.
“We will soon engage an expert for this and give a new facelift to Nampong town as a reminder of the bygone WWII,” he said.
He said that the frontier town of Nampong holds immense historical, cultural, and economic significance as for centuries, the region has been a conduit for migration, trade, and cultural exchange.
“From the sacred migration routes of our ancestors to the historic Stilwell Road, this area has played a pivotal role in connecting Northeast India with Southeast Asia,” he said.
“Through folk songs, traditional sports, and expeditions to historic sites, we celebrate our heritage while building a foundation for a prosperous future. This festival also provides a platform for our local artisans, traders, and entrepreneurs to showcase their talent and products, paving the way for economic growth and self-reliance,” he added.
ALSO READ: Arunachal Pradesh’s Adi & Apatani tribes ink joint declaration to promote peace
Khandu reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and connectivity to support the growing tourism sector in the Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (TCL) region.
With the inclusion of the three districts under the tourist circuit and development in connectivity and infrastructure, he said that tourism will flourish in the region given its rich potential.
The chief minister laid the foundation for key developmental projects, including road construction and improvement from Rima Village to Longchong, a supermarket with a parking lot at Jairampur and Nampong to Tikhak Khamlang PMGSY Road.
He also announced the sanctioning of projects worth Rs 43 crore for the Nampong constituency to accelerate development in the region.
