Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma and Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today greeted the people on the occasion of Indigenous Faith Day to be celebrated across the state tomorrow.
The governor in his warm greetings to the people expressed hope that the occasion would continue to strengthen the indigenous faiths and ritualistic practices in the state.
He said, "Arunachal Pradesh is truly a cultural mosaic. Nature has blessed the people with different faiths and divine beliefs. Most of the tribes are ethnically very similar, but their geographical isolation from each other has brought amongst them, certain characteristics in customs, traditions and rituals."
"Celebration of the day by various indigenous faith groups of the state together reinforces the spirit of unity in diversity," he added.
The Governor reposed confidence that the marvellous tradition would continue under the guidance of elders of the communities.
Tuki in his message emphasized on the significance of the Indigenous Faith movement, particularly under the aegis of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), that has successfully preserved and maintained the traditional customs and faiths of the indigenous tribes of the state in the age of rapid globalisation.
Reiterating the popular idiom 'Loss of culture is loss of identity', he asserted the necessity to preserve the distinct indigenous identities of the various tribes of the state lest these are lost forever.
"Ours is a distinct state with several tribes and communities residing side by side for ages and maintaining their own unique indigenous culture and traditions. Despite our varied diversity, we as Arunachalees are united and take pride in our indigenous cultural heritage. This cultural mosaic has to be maintained, preserved and propagated at all costs while keeping in tact our unity in diversity," the chief minister added.
