Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the newly consecrated Donyi Polo Kargu Gamgi, a prayer and cultural centre of the indigenous Donyi Polo faith, at Modirijo near Itanagar. On the occasion, the Chief Minister reiterated the State Government’s strong commitment to preserving and strengthening indigenous belief systems, traditions and cultural identity across Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing a large gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Khandu congratulated the Itanagar Donyi Polo Kargu Gamgi Council, the Central Donyi Polo Kargu Gamgi Council and all individuals who contributed to the completion of the project. He said the centre represents a long-cherished dream of the community that became possible through collective effort and public participation. More than 700 donors, many of them belonging to the Galo community, contributed to the construction of the prayer centre, making it a strong example of community-driven cultural preservation.
The Chief Minister said the newly built Gamgi is not only a physical structure but also a symbol of faith, heritage and identity. He noted that indigenous belief systems have existed for thousands of years and form the original spiritual foundation of tribal societies across the world. However, due to rapid modernisation and changing lifestyles, many such traditions have seen a decline in followers. At the same time, he said, there is now a growing global effort to revive and protect indigenous faiths and cultures, and Arunachal Pradesh is also taking steps in this direction.
Khandu stated that Arunachal Pradesh is home to many indigenous belief systems that are closely linked to the identity, language and traditions of different tribal communities. To protect and promote these traditions, the State Government has created the Department of Indigenous Affairs, which is supporting the construction and strengthening of indigenous prayer and cultural centres such as Kargu Gamgi, Nyedar Namlo and Ganggi across the state. He emphasised that preservation of indigenous faith should not be misunderstood as opposition to any other religion, adding that India’s secular values encourage respect for all faiths while also protecting cultural identity.
The Chief Minister also highlighted several initiatives taken by the government to strengthen indigenous identity, including the declaration of December 31 as Donyi Polo Day, approval of the Nimin Aalo celebration dedicated to honouring women, and naming the state’s first greenfield airport as Donyi Polo Airport. According to him, these steps are aimed at giving recognition and visibility to the state’s traditional heritage.
Speaking about the organised Kargu Gamgi prayer system, Khandu said it took a structured form in the early 2000s, providing a collective platform for followers of the ancient faith. He described the institution as a place for collective prayer, peace, healing and social unity, and said that such centres help strengthen moral values and community bonding. He also appreciated the inclusive nature of the movement, noting that active participation of common people has played a major role in its growth.
Expressing concern that younger generations are increasingly exposed to global cultural influences, the Chief Minister said institutions like the Kargu Gamgi are important for passing traditional knowledge and values to the next generation in an organised way. He stressed the need to integrate indigenous belief systems with education and research so that they remain relevant in modern society. In this context, he announced that the State Government, in collaboration with organisations such as the Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), RIWATCH in Roing and ICCS, is working on establishing a dedicated university for indigenous studies. The proposed institution will focus on research, documentation, education and curriculum development related to the indigenous faiths and cultures of the state.
Khandu also shared plans for international cultural exchange programmes and study visits to countries such as Japan, where traditional practices like Shintoism have been preserved alongside modern development. He said the government also intends to organise international conferences in Arunachal Pradesh focusing on indigenous faiths and cultural practices, which would help bring global attention to the state’s heritage.
