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ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that despite having vast tourism potential the State is very little known in other parts of India, especially in the country's mainland.
Attending the 'Abhinandan Arunachal' at Indore in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, Mein informed that Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes with their own distinct culture, traditions and customs.
"The diversity of the State is as that of India, so it may also be called 'Mini India'. The State with the five climatic zones from tropical to Alpine zone, also makes it one of the top bio-diversity hotspot in the world," Mein said.
State Tourism Minister Nakap Nalo, Advisor Tourism Laisam Simai, Tezu MLA Karikho Kri and State tourism director Abu Tayeng also attended the programme.
The programme was organised by VIPRA Foundation, a social organization, with an objective to highlight the potential of Arunachal Tourism and to promote its spiritual tourism in the mainland of India.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Arunachal Pradesh has a long historical linkage since the age of Mahabharata and informed that it was from Bhismaknagar in present the Lower Dibang Valley district of the State that 'Rukmini Haran' took place. Lord Krishna along with Rukmini Devi rested in a place called Malinithan, which is in the present Lower Siang district, on their way to Tezpur, located in Assam.
He also informed that the State also have the tallest 'Shiv Linga' in the country at Ziro and Parshuram Kund in the river Lohit one of the holiest place where Bhagwan Parshuram washed away his sins after he killed his own mother while obeying the command of his father.
The Deputy Chief Minister informed that Parshuram Kund is a famous pilgrimage site for the devotees and thousands of people come to the Kund for holy bath. Every year 'Parshuram Mela' is also conducted to facilitate the Hindu pilgrims in the State.
He added that the place could be developed as 'Kumbh of the East' with the support of the Centre and the social organizations like VIPRA Foundation.
Mein also highlighted about the Buddhist religious places of the state in Namsai, Mechukha, Tuting and Bomdila-Tawang which are also major tourist attractions for the Buddhists pilgrims.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a vision to see India as a developed country by the year 2047, and all must work towards it collectively.
Mein referred to Modi's call to take up the responsibility and to fulfill the dreams of the freedom fighters in the next 25 years when the country attains 100 years of independence.
Nalo said that Arunachal Pradesh can offer any form of tourism from adventure to nature, religious, research, cultural and eco-tourism, with abundant natural beauties and hospitable people.
He informed that in line with the initiative of Prime Minister's tourism policy, 'Dekho Apna Desh', the State Government had also launched 'Dekho Apna Pradesh' to promote Arunachal tourism.
Nalo invited the people from the mainland of India to come to Arunachal Pradesh and explore the beauty of nature, religious and cultural diversity of this Himalayan State.
VIPRA Foundation founder Sushil Ojha highlighted the importance of organizing the event and called for cultural integrations and promotion of religious tourism.
He lauded the initiatives taken by both the Centre as well as Arunachal Pradesh Government for development of Parshuram Kund. He added that Parshuram Kund would see significant increase of Indian tourists inflow from lakhs to crores in years to come which would contribute in economic development of the State.
Earlier, Mein along with his entourage also met Madhya Pradesh Tourism Minister Usha Thakur and discussed about the State's Tourism Policy, cultural diversity and nationalism. In the meeting, ideas were also exchanged to explore possibilities to incorporate tourism policy from Madhya Pradesh in the State of Arunachal Pradesh too.
The dignitaries also held a meeting with Hotel & Restaurant Association of Madhya Pradesh headed by its chairman, Sumit Suri over a breakfast and discussed about tourism & hospitality.
Mein invited them to Arunachal Pradesh and expand their branches in the North-East too.
Later, the dignitaries also visited Asia's largest bio-CNG plant in Indore to have a glimpse and understanding of the solid waste management system of the cleanest city of India, which had been voted as the 'cleanest city of India' for the last six years consecutively, a press communiqué informed here on Sunday.
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