ITANAGAR, Sept 10 - Tawang Maitree Diwas 2017 celebrations in Arunachal Pradesh got underway today with GOC 4 Corps Lt Gen AS Bedi inaugurating the two-day event at Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Stadium in Tawang.
Spiritual guru and Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju along with the chief patron of the event, Chief Minister Pema Khandu were scheduled to grace the inaugural function but could not make it owing to inclement weather.
However, in a message, the Chief Minister conveyed his greetings wishing grand success of the event, terming it as a humble statement of friendly relation between the local populace and Indian Army.
Addressing the gathering, Lt Gen Bedi expressed happiness over the conduct of the event after a gap of six years and believed that the same would go a long way in strengthening the civil-military bond and also in deepening the feeling of patriotism amongst the local youths.
He assured that the Army would continue to work towards realising the dream of a self reliant and dignified Arunachal.
In his speech, Parliamentary Secretary for RWD Jambey Tashi expressed his gratitude to the Indian Army for their cooperation during the hour of crisis like natural calamities and other disasters, and assured that the people of Arunachal would always stand by them in all their endeavours.
On the occasion, Brigadier MP Singh, Commander, Station HQ Tawang was honoured with a certificate of commendation by Govt of Arunachal Pradesh as an acknowledgement of his contribution towards reaffirming people�s confidence in Indian Army.
Spectators who had thronged the event were left spellbound by the might of military display and various cultural performances by school children, army personnel and cultural troupes.
