Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on December 29 inaugurated the first-ever Sunrise Festival at Dong village in Anjaw district. Dong is known as the eastern-most inhabited location in India and is the first place in the country to see the sunrise each day. The Chief Minister travelled to the remote valley along with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao, and local MLA and Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul. Dong village lies close to the India-China border and is often highlighted for its unique geographical identity.
In his address, Khandu said the festival has been planned to celebrate this special location and to introduce more people to the natural beauty and culture of the region. He said the event aims to bring attention to the landscape, the local communities, and the adventure tourism opportunities that the area offers. According to him, the festival will also serve as a reminder of Dong’s symbolic importance as the first point in the country to welcome daylight. The Chief Minister added that the government wants to promote responsible and sustainable tourism through the festival. He said that by encouraging visitors to experience the local way of life, the initiative could help create new livelihood opportunities for residents while protecting the environment and traditions.
He also expressed hope that Dong would gain more recognition nationally and internationally as a landmark of both geography and culture. The Sunrise Festival will continue for five days and will include traditional performances, local food, nature-based activities and community-led tourism programmes. Officials said the idea is to bring more visibility to one of India’s most remote regions, while ensuring that development remains people-centred and respectful of local heritage.
