Abotani festival gets underway in Pasighat

PASIGHAT: The second foundation day celebration of the Abotani Clan Organization (ATCO)-cum-Tani Festival got underway on Thursday at the Donyi Polo central ground here with its inauguration by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy.

The annual event offers food, fun, and entertainment, in addition to games and sports, cultural, literary and drawing competitions. Special displays are also set up to highlight rich culture and traditions of Abotani communities.

In his address, Sanjoy lauded the ATCO for organizing such an event to unite the descendents of the Abotani communities and to preserve the age-old tradition and culture.

Expressing happiness over the huge participation of people irrespective of caste and creed, Sanjoy exhorted the upcoming generation to shoulder the responsibility in preserving the cultures and traditions of Abotani’s descendants. Guest of honour, Talo Mugli who is the chairman of the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Co-operation Pvt Ltd, made a clarion call to all progenies of Tani tribe to work together with unity and integrity for overall development.

He also observed that a script could be used to unite the scattered Tani tribes.

ATCO president Yumra Taya underscored the significance of having an own script of the Abotani clans to unify all the Abotani tribes in the State and for the preservation of Tani language.

He also submitted a memorandum to Chief Guest which includes erecting a statue of Abotani in all respective district headquarters under the Tani belts, construction of Tani Bhawan in all districts, the establishment of Tani Heritage Village, declaration of 25 October as a state holiday etc.

In connection with the proposed Abotani Heritage Village, Taya said if the State government provides fund for it then he will donate land free of cost for the purpose.