BOMDILA : The Bomdila Tourism Society (BTS), in collaboration with Radio Kameng, on Friday organised “Bomdila Connect – A Carnival of Heritage, Harmony & Hospitality” to showcase the town’s cultural heritage and promote its tourism potential.
The carnival began from the Sahara Tyre area of Bomdila and concluded at Lower Gompa, with around 40 cultural groups representing various communities of West Kameng participating in the event. Traditional performances, including the Yak Dance, Aji Lhamu Dance, Kukri Dance, Hrusso Dance and Sajolang Dance, reflected the district’s rich cultural diversity.
Students from different schools also joined the procession, carrying placards promoting environmental conservation and proper waste management.
Attending the programme as chief guest, Kalaktang MLA Tseten Chombey commended the organisers for bringing together different communities of the district on a common platform to celebrate West Kameng’s rich cultural heritage.
He recalled that Bomdila had once been the hub of the erstwhile Kameng region but gradually lost its prominence, while destinations such as Tawang, Dirang and Shergaon successfully emerged as major tourist attractions.
Expressing confidence in the initiative, Chombey said Bomdila Connect has the potential to restore the town’s lost glory and evolve into one of Arunachal Pradesh’s flagship tourism events. He assured full support for making the carnival an annual calendar event and accepted a memorandum submitted by the Bomdila Tourism Society, assuring all possible assistance.
West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar congratulated the organisers for conceptualising the initiative, saying its primary objective is to preserve the district’s cultural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism. He assured the district administration’s continued support and appealed to all stakeholders to work together to establish the carnival as a permanent annual event.
Highlighting the district administration’s cleanliness initiatives, Kumar urged citizens to actively participate in weekly social service programmes for a cleaner and greener West Kameng. Stressing effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, he emphasised proper waste segregation through the four-colour bin system in both urban and rural areas and appealed to religious leaders and spiritual heads to sensitise the public on environmental conservation and waste management.
During the programme, Geshe Lobsang Norbu, who has planted more than 1.5 lakh trees in and around Bomdila, was felicitated for his outstanding contribution to environmental conservation.
The event was organised by the Bomdila Tourism Society in collaboration with Radio Kameng, with support from the West Kameng district administration, Arunachal Tourism Society and 4/9 Gorkha Rifles.
Among those present were Guru Tulku Rinpoche, former minister Japu Deru, representatives of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), 4/9 Gorkha Rifles and 2nd Arunachal Scouts, Panchayati Raj Institution leaders, lamas, Heads of Departments, students and members of the public. (DIPR)
