ITANAGAR: The state capital is now hosting the 'Arunachal Pradesh GI Mahotsav,' a three-day festival which started on February 28 at Select City Walk mall. This festival is all about celebrating and showcasing the rich heritage of Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing its textiles, handicrafts, cuisines, and agri-products.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted the festival's importance in promoting the state's geographical indication (GI) products, 20 of which have already been tagged with GI.
The state hopes to reach 50 such products by 2030. Khandu called the festival a tribute to the identity of Arunachal and the commitment of its farmers and artisans.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who inaugurated the festival, emphasized the need to give a national platform to Arunachal's entrepreneurs and craftsmen. He cited the linguistic diversity of the state with more than 100 dialects and expressed the ministry's resolve to uphold indigenous languages.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appreciated the festival as a celebration of Arunachal's heritage, highlighting the importance of GI-tagged products in linking artisans to international markets. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein spoke about the importance of GI registration in protecting products associated with particular regions, highlighting the state's various tribes and natural resources.
The festival is an important step towards the promotion of Arunachal Pradesh's native products, bringing its artisans and traditional industries to the forefront on national and international platforms.
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