Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik recently attended the renowned Ziro Festival of Music in the picturesque Ziro Valley, where he interacted extensively with festival organizers, artists, volunteers, and local district administrators while praising the event for successfully showcasing the state’s distinctive cultural heritage, boosting sustainable tourism, and creating vibrant opportunities for the youth. Highlighting the incredible journey of the festival since its inception in 2012, the Governor commended the host Apatani community for their warm hospitality, remarkable community participation, and effective promotion of community-led tourism through homestays that directly generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for local families. He noted that the festival’s steadfast emphasis on eco-friendly practices, including innovative bamboo infrastructure, has helped establish its unique identity as a premier independent music event that attracts enthusiasts from across India and around the globe. Emphasizing that music possesses the unique power to transcend geographical boundaries and connect diverse populations, Governor Parnaik encouraged young people to channel their creative energy and talents into entrepreneurship, innovation, arts, literature, technology, and community leadership with dedication and discipline. During his visit to the festival grounds, the Governor also inspected the specialized Armed Forces Goodwill Enclosures, where he lauded the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Border Roads Organisation for utilizing the creative platform to engage with visitors and raise awareness about national security, career avenues, and critical infrastructure development. He toured various interactive exhibits, including the 56 Infantry Division’s outreach stall, cutting-edge military technology equipment displays, the ‘Know Your Army’ pavilion, and dedicated recruitment counters for the National Cadet Corps and Sainik School, urging visiting youth to explore meaningful ways to serve the nation and contribute actively to nation-building while remaining deeply connected to their rich cultural roots and traditions.
