3 NE states to display their traditions on R-Day

By Sujit Chakraborty Agartala/Guwahati/Itanagar, Jan 25 : Two northeastern states – Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura – will showcase their traditions, famed customary talents, art and craft while Assam will demonstrate its tea, one of the backbones of Indian economy, and wildlife, in this year’s Republic Day parade in the national capital.
Officials said that after around seven rounds of meetings, the expert committee under the Defence Ministry cleared the themes of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura with limited participations due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The officials of the three northeastern states said that besides the Assam tea and its culture associated with the segment, Arunachal Pradesh’s Wancho tribes’ wooden log drum “Kham” and the Chakzam Bridge at Tawang and the eco-friendly tradition of Tripura in daily life of the tribals would definitely earn the extols of the people.
According to the officials, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a limited number of states and Union Territories would display their tableau in this year’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Assam’s Cultural Affairs department officials said that the state’s tableau would showcase the state’s tea garden, tea workers’ life and culture and other related aspects of the tea industry including the famous “Jhumur” dance.
“Assam tea is one of the backbones of India’s economy and lakhs of people are associated with the century old industry. To portray tea garden, its traditional life and culture, various activities associated with it, including the well-known “Jhumur” dance, the combined theme was finalised,” Cultural Affairs Department Commissioner and Secretary Preetom Saikia told IANS over phone.