ITANAGAR, April 5: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday called upon the youth of the Northeast to embrace urbanisation and modern knowledge while remaining rooted in their traditions and cultural identity. He was speaking at the 59th Mopin Festival held in Aalo, West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Beginning his address with verses from a song by Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Sarma highlighted the enduring bond between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. He emphasised that traditions form the foundation of identity and should not be forgotten in the pursuit of modernisation.
“We must learn from the outside world, but never forget who we are, where we come from, and what our traditions stand for,” he said, underscoring the importance of cultural preservation. “We must welcome urbanisation and the teachings of science and technology, but not at the cost of our roots. Our identity, our culture, and our traditions must remain intact.”
Referring to the Mopin Festival as a powerful symbol of the region’s cultural continuity, Sarma noted its millennia-old heritage. “This festival has been observed for over a thousand years. It has guided our ancestors through hardship, teaching them to respect nature and persevere with agriculture. We cannot afford to forget its value.”
The Chief Minister also issued a strong message against religious and cultural dilution. “Today, people try to dictate how we should practise our faith. I want to remind them—your religion may be 500 years old, but ours has stood strong for 5,000,” he said.
Highlighting the ongoing transformation of the Northeast under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sarma said, “Once considered among the most neglected, the region is now moving towards becoming one of India’s most empowered. This is just the beginning. The coming years will bring unprecedented growth across all sectors.”
The event was also graced by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and State Cultural Affairs Minister Dasanglu Pul. In his address, CM Khandu praised his Assam counterpart as a dynamic leader of the Northeast and a prominent figure in Indian politics.
Khandu recalled the landmark “Namsai Declaration” signed on July 15, 2022, and appreciated Sarma’s proactive role in resolving the decades-old boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. “With Himantaji’s cooperation, almost all boundary issues have been resolved except for a few pockets, where regional committees from both the states will revisit. We are optimistic that these will too be resolved soon,” Khandu said, expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of Arunachal.
Mopin Festival is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s major agricultural festivals, celebrated by the Galo community across several districts including West Siang, Leparada, Lower Siang, East Siang, and Upper Subansiri. The festival is marked by gratitude for a good harvest and invokes blessings for peace and prosperity.
