Tawang, Oct 29 (HS): The United States’ ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster declared the 7th edition of Tawang Festival open amidst huge fanfare and fervour.
Speaking to a mammoth and enthusiastic crowd here in the mystic and serene Tawang, the US Ambassador extended his gratitude to the people of Tawang for the exceptional hospitality offered to him and his entourage.
He also said that he was mesmerised by the colourful people, their dresses, custom and traditions which offer other parts of the world to learn and know.
Pitching on conducting cultural exchange programmes which eventually strengthens the friendship and bonding, Juster disclosed that the United States have been funding lot of states in India for preservation of culture and traditions.
“This is one major sector where United States and Arunachal Pradesh can partner,” said the US Ambassador. Khandu had earlier informed him about the rich diversity of the state.
Juster, while stating that study on Arunachal would be quiet interesting, informed that the University of Florida collaborated with Arunachal Pradesh’s Rajiv Gandhi University for a combined research work.
He further revealed that the United States have been funding Arunachal Pradesh in improving the health sector. They modernised hospitals and health facility centres in Namsai and Pasighat.
The Ambassador said that more health centres in the state would be upgraded with modern technologies so that proper and good health services are provided to the people.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the state is fortunate to have hosted two US Ambassadors to India in a span of three years. He briefed the visiting dignitaries about the strength, challenges and opportunities of the state.
“Arunachal Pradesh has huge potential in form of natural resources. With proper planning and investments the state has the potential to become the most prosperous and happiest states in the country” Khandu emphatically said. Adding further, he said that the state is now coming up for investment avenues in the area of tourism, Agri& Horticulture and Hydropower for which he sought the support of US Embassy to attract American Investment.
Khandu further informed that Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has contracted out logistics to a local entrepreneur for finding HUMP flight wreckages belonging to WW II era.
“Until now, 20 aircraft have been identified and 5 martyrs remains and personal belongings have been recovered and set to families. A HUMP museum is under construction in Pasighat and scheduled for inauguration in March 2020”, Khandu informed and requested the Excellency to visit Pasighat for its inauguration.
The chief minister further divulged on Abor Country Travels and Expedition, a travel agency from the state which has been working with the department of Geology and earth sciences of the University of Washington, Seattle and UCLA for last 10 years. PhD students from these universities visit Siang valley of Arunachal Pradesh for their field trips in regular intervals, Khandu said. In a way, a strong institutional bond has already been developed between Arunachal and US.
Giving a brief on tourism, Khandu said that in last three years, Arunachal got only 336 US tourists. He hoped that by the help of US Embassy, this number would increase 10 fold in coming two years.
Union Minister of State for Sports & Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju while congratulating the people of Tawang for successfully hosting the Tawang Festival for seven consecutive years with much larger scale every passing year said, this festival is gradually becoming the face of Arunachal. With the hospitable people, tourist inflow in the area has increased manifold in just couple of years. Tawang is finds it prominent place in the world tourism map today, he said.
He appreciated Khandu for the hard work put in for the state’s development and said that he would do his best and provide all possible support from the Centre to ensure that the vision of the CM for the state is realised.
Earlier, Tourism Nakap Nalo welcomed the dignitaries and gave a brief on the tourism activities in the state.
Among others US Consul General Patti
Hoffman with other embassy delegates were
also present.
