ITANAGAR, OCT 9:
A trilogy of coffee table books showcasing Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural heritage, spiritual traditions and biodiversity was launched at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday.
Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd.), Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation and Planning, and Minister of State for Culture Rao Inderjit Singh, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok K. Lahiri jointly unveiled the books titled The Sap Runs Perennial, Ladders to Heaven and The Wild Green Kingdom.
The trilogy has been authored by military historian, writer, photographer and documentary filmmaker Shiv Kunal Verma, with support from Vallabh Bhansali, trustee of the Global Vipassana Foundation and co-founder and chairman of ENAM Securities, in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government.
Speaking at the launch, Parnaik described the publication as more than a collection of photographs, saying it offers a comprehensive portrayal of Arunachal Pradesh as a living civilisation shaped by vibrant cultures, enduring spiritual traditions and rich natural heritage.
He said the books document the customs, festivals, crafts and traditional knowledge of the State’s indigenous communities, alongside its monasteries, sacred sites, indigenous faiths and spiritual traditions. They also showcase its forests, rivers, mountains, wildlife, orchids and biodiversity.
Terming the trilogy “a window to Arunachal Pradesh and an ambassador for the State”, the Governor said it would introduce national and international audiences to the State’s cultural wealth, ecological treasures and tourism potential. Its circulation among embassies, institutions, libraries and readers worldwide would raise awareness and generate interest among travellers, researchers, photographers, cultural enthusiasts and investors, he added.
The Governor emphasised the importance of documenting the heritage of a State home to 23 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes, each with distinct traditions, languages and cultural practices. He said the publication would serve as a lasting record for future generations and encourage young people to value and preserve their heritage.
Parnaik also noted that the trilogy portrays a State making progress in connectivity, tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, education and infrastructure while remaining rooted in its cultural and ecological values.
He commended Verma for creating a visual and literary archive capturing both the State’s landscapes and the spirit of its people, and appreciated Bhansali’s support in bringing the publication to fruition.
Expressing confidence in the trilogy’s lasting impact, the Governor said it would take Arunachal Pradesh’s stories, landscapes and aspirations beyond its borders and inspire future generations to discover and appreciate the State, known as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.
