A CORRESPONDENT
ANINI: Pema Khandu became the first Chief Minister ever to travel all the way by road to Anini, headquarters of Dibang Valley district, from Itanagar to join the Mishmi community in celebrating the 52nd central Reh festival on February 1. The proverbial icing on the cake particularly for the people of Anini was the presence of the ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ star Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who too arrived by road from Dibrugarh, an arduous journey of about nine hours.
Greeting the people on the auspicious occasion, Khandu expressed gratitude to the Mishmi community for having him in their midst. He said Reh festival is the identity of the community that honours their priests who are at the core of the festival.
He profusely thanked Bollywood Star Siddiqui for gracing the Reh celebration despite the bad road conditions. Siddiqui had accepted the invitation to join the celebrations and also meet the Indian Army personnel guarding the frontiers while knowing the distance and bad road conditions due to ongoing works on it.
Lauding the scenic beauty of Dibang Valley, Khandu said Anini and adjoining areas have optimum potential to become the top destination for tourists from across the globe.
“People know about Tawang and Mechuka but I can vouch that if we mix Tawang and Mechuka, the by-product will be Anini! I guarantee that Dibang Valley will emerge as the most sought-after tourist destination of Arunachal Pradesh in years to come,” he said.
Khandu assured that the under construction two-lane highway from Roing to Anini will be completed in four years and once done the face of the district will change massively. He pointed that due to the difficult terrain and distinct topographical features of the district, the initial work on the 230 Km road is taking time. He informed that the state government is taking up completion of the road on top priority.
Earlier in the day, Khandu inaugurated a Fire Station and Water Treatment Plant and laid the foundations of SDO headquarters at Arzoo, a mini-stadium, district hospital building and a mini secretariat at Anini and an innovative and multipurpose water harvesting at Gipulin.
He also visited the Indian Army camp at Anini and interacted with the officers and jawans of the Kumaon Regiment posted there.
Besides Nawazuddin Siddiqui also present were MP Tapir Gao, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, Director General of Police R P Upadhyay and others.
Smitten by the scenic beauty of Arunachal Pradesh, acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who attended the Reh celebrations at Anini on Saturday, promised his next film will be shot in the State.
“I came to know about Arunachal Pradesh, its natural beauty and the colourful people only from his (Khandu’s) tweets! He is the best promoter and advertiser of the State!” Siddiqui stated.
He further said that his next film, which is in the script stage was initially planned to be shot in Garhwal. However, after seeing the pictures of Arunachal Pradesh and its people on Khandu’s twitter handle, he said that the decision was changed from Garhwal to Arunachal Pradesh.
Siddiqui appealed the people to stick with their tradition and culture. He said the culture of the state is its identity and people like him will travel hundreds of miles to see and feel it.
“You will not know but I will tell you. Nowhere in the country have I ever seen such glowing, positive and serene faces. Arunachalees are blessed and you must be proud of it,” he announced.
In lighter veins, the actor said that travelling to Anini from Dibrugarh reminded him of the Samuel Beckett play “Waiting for Godot”!
“All through the 12-14 hours journey I felt like ‘abhi aa jayega…abhi aa jayega’ but ‘kuch aa hi nahi raha tha!
He though said that all the troubles and tiredness flew away when he saw the glowing faces of the people waiting for him.