ITANAGAR, May 17 - Playing the role of a go-between, Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa called for strengthening the age-old traditional, historical and cultural ties among the people of both the neighbouring States. Rajkhowa�s plea for strengthening the ties between the two northeastern States bears significance as the traditional bonding between the two sides sometimes threatens to snowball into crisis-like situation due to the long-drawn-out boundary row, currently pending with the country�s apex court.
The Governor, who was addressing the maiden joint meeting of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh Cultural Coordination Mission (AAPCCM)� a forum initiated by him to promote amity amongst the people of the two States � at Raj Bhavan in Itanagar today, suggested cultural exchange programmes between the two States. He said such interactive programmes should start from the hilly State, starting from Itanagar, Pasighat and other places. He also suggested conducting joint training on dances, singing and musical instruments, involving renowned cultural personalities, like Bengia Hemanto and others. Further, the Governor advised exchange of traditional cuisines during such events for the artists and others and involvement of various cultural organisations.
The Governor, who initiated �Sampriti�, a cultural presentation of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam by the ICCR, Guwahati in October last year, emphasized that sharing of each other�s cultural richness, exchange of thoughts and person-to-person interaction will cement the age-old relationship and communal harmony, which at times is disturbed by unpleasant incidences. He wished that there will be involvement of larger numbers of school children, youth and general public to send strong message of goodwill amongst them.
The Assam team of AAPCCM, led by Uma Kanta Borah, chief coordinator of Sanskritik Maha Sabha, comprises its convener Debeswar Kalita and members Pabitra Kr Sarma, Pradeep Kr Borah and Binod Kr Borah, while the Arunachal side was led by Secretary, Art & Culture, Sonam Chombay and Director in-charge of Art & Culture Jomnya Siram. As advised by the Governor, it was decided to conduct the cultural exchange programme in November with cultural items and also fusion of dances, songs and musical instruments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, to be participated by cultural troupes from both the States.
