RUKSIN, SEP 10:
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Thursday called for concerted efforts to preserve indigenous languages, oral traditions and cultural heritage while ensuring that development remains rooted in the identity and way of life of local communities.
Mein was speaking at the first-ever Leyi Banggo Central SolungGiidi Celebration-2026 at the GPS General Playground (Leyi Banggo Dolung Akngo) under Ruksin Circle in East Siang district. The celebration brought together community elders, leaders, youth and cultural practitioners to showcase the traditions, music, dance, oral literature and collective heritage of the Leyi Banggo community.
Mein said modernisation and globalisation had opened new opportunities, but communities must remain connected to their roots. He stressed the need to document indigenous languages, oral literature, traditional knowledge, songs, stories and cultural practices using modern technology for the benefit of future generations.
“Globalisation has taught us many things, but it has not taught us our traditions. We should never lose our spirit and our roots,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister suggested creating additional teachers’ posts, if required, for teaching local dialects and promoting indigenous languages. He also called for audio-visual archives of indigenous systems, songs, stories, oral literature and traditional knowledge, including traditional healing practices, to prevent valuable knowledge accumulated over generations from being lost.
Mein urged the younger generation to take a leading role in cultural preservation, appreciating local youth for producing music, videos and other creative works. He said modern digital platforms could be effectively used to preserve and promote indigenous heritage.
Emphasising that culture must remain an integral part of development, Mein said, “Development cannot be achieved through infrastructure alone. We also need to preserve and promote our culture. Culture is our way of living, and our development must preserve our way of life and identity.”
He said Arunachal Pradesh’s journey towards becoming a developed State, as well as India’s development journey, must remain inclusive of all communities, languages and cultural identities.
Mein also stressed the need to maintain cordial relations with neighbouring communities and States, noting that neighbours cannot be changed and peaceful relations must therefore be maintained. He highlighted the long-standing cultural, social, economic and matrimonial ties between communities in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Urging responsible use of social media, he said it should not become a platform for quarrels, disputes or personal attacks, but should instead promote healthy dialogue, mutual respect, understanding and constructive exchange of ideas.
Mein assured the people of Leyi Banggo that their demand for creation of a separate administrative circle covering five villages—Depi, Moli, Detak, Debing and Poplung—would be looked into and placed before the State Cabinet for consideration.
He extended greetings to the people of Leyi Banggo and all those celebrating Solung, expressing hope that the event would develop into an enduring platform for cultural preservation, community unity and intergenerational transmission of indigenous traditions.
The celebration was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing, Eastern Parliamentary Constituency MP Tapir Gao, West Pasighat MLA Ninong Ering, Nari-Koyu MLA Tojir Kadu, East Pasighat MLA Tapi Darang, BJP State President Kaling Moyong, All Bogong Kebang (ABK) President Tanon Tatak, former MLA Tatung Jamoh, Zilla Parishad Chairpersons of East Siang and Lower Siang, and others.
The day-long celebration featured traditional and cultural presentations, including Nene-Ponung by Ponung Mimum, performances by Kenna-Tarem and her troupe, and performances by singers Mary Dalbong and Dev Taid, among others.
