Explore avenues to facilitate state’s development: Governor

From Our Correspondent

Itagar, Feb 1: Aruchal Pradesh Governor P B Acharya has encouraged the people of the state not to confine in their own cultural heritage but also to explore other avenues so as to facilitate progress of the state as well as the North East region. Iugurating the Aruchal Tourism Award at Indira Gandhi Park here Tuesday night, the governor said that the whole North-east is a beautiful region wherein ‘unity in diversity’ is more pronounced with many ethnic entities living in perfect harmony. He urged the people to work with the spirit of ‘MASTE’ which, he coined and which stands for galand, Aruchal, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Sikkim, Tripura and East.

“Aruchal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. The people of India know more about America than Northeast. Such tourism event will promote the cultural richness of the state and the region,” he said.

“Tourism not only increases the inflow of the visitors, both foreign and domestic but also has a trickledown effect on the socio-economic development of the state,” Acharya pointed out. The governor also released the TV Commercial of Aruchal Tourism on the occasion.

Bollywood superstar John Abraham, who is also the brand ambassador of Aruchal Tourism, while addressing the gathering said that he was proud to be brand ambassador of the most beautiful state in the country. He appealed to the people from mainland India to visit this Himalayan state on first given opportunity, lest one should repent for failure to have a glimpse of the Shangri-la on earth. Stating that Aruchal Pradesh has vast tourism potentials, Tourism Parliamentary Secretary P D So urged the people to have eco-friendly and responsible tourism. He also asked the people to maintain good hospitality.

State Home minister Kumar Waii, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Doley Gamlin, senior officers and stakeholders of Aruchal Tourism were also present on the occasion.

The awardees included Abor Country Travels & Expeditions maging director Oken Tayeng as Best Tour Operators, Sangey Tsering (Explorer of the year), Bamin Baro (Best Guide), Pappu Passa Valley (Emerging Destition of the year), Hotel Tashi Gyatsal, Tawang (best accommodation in hotels) and Gayboo’s Traditiol Homestay, Mechuka (best accommodation in home stay).

The award winners include, Ngunu Ziro (Athiti Deva Bhavo winner), Tom Meitei (Best Tourism Photographer), Festival of Speed (Best Innovative & Unique Tourism Project), Thembang Bapu CCA Magement Committee (Best Ecotourism Project), Gora Abe Society (Best Responsible Tourism Project), Viacom (Excellence in State Tourism Promotion), J K Tyre (Best Corporate Partner), Tawang Festival (Best Tourism Festival in culture), Ziro Festival of Music (Best Tourism Festival in music), Orange Festival of Music & Adventure  (Best Tourism Festival in adventure segment) and Everester Anshu Jamsenpa bagged the state tourism icon of the year.