Itanagar, Jan 6 (Reporter) Si-Donyi, the most important festival of Tagin community of Arunachal Pradesh, was celebrated on Saturday across the State, including its main center Daporijo, with great pomp and traditional gaiety. The annual festival Si-Donyi, celebrated from January 4 to 7, involves the veneration of the earth (Si) and the sun (Donyi). It is celebrated as New Year, where the Nyibu (local priest) presides over and performs all the rituals with chanting of ‘Uuyu Benam’ (celestial chants), and sacrifice of Mithun (Gayal) for peace and prosperity in the community as a whole. Hailing as “soulful & uplifting”, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who along with Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju attended the Golden Jubilee Si-Donyi Festival celebration at Daporijo, the headquarters of Upper Subansiri district, said, “The air at Daporijo Si-Donyi celebration has brought alive the profound connect with our indigenous culture.” While expressing gratitude to the festival committee for extending him the invite to join the celebration along with Union Minister Rijiju, Khandu said that he has taken note of suggestions provided by the Tagin Cultural Society for preservation of vibrant Tagin culture and identity. “We will steadfastly work on it, as, with changing times, we should not erode our culture,” he asserted. The CM lauded the people for supporting developmental projects initiated by the state and central governments, which, he said, have changed the overall scenario of the district. Talking about connectivity, he said that the portion of the Trans-Arunachal Highway that passes through the district will be completed by April this year. “Those executing the project have informed me that the road will be completed within next two months and one bridge on the highway will be ready by April,” he informed. While revealing that the government has proposed to establish an airport near Dumporijo, Khandu expressed optimism that once the highway is through and the airport gets functional, the district will witness a boom in economic activities. “I can assure that Upper Subansiri with its virgin nature and rich culture can attract a large number of tourists from across the globe,” he remarked. With the mighty Subansiri river flowing through the heart of the district, the CM informed that the district is about to witness a sea change. “We have already signed an MoU with NHPC to harness the hydropower potential of about 2000 MW in the district. Work will soon start on ground and then the face of Daporijo and the district will change,” he said. Khandu appreciated the local representatives for quality work in developing Daporijo township roads and assured that the left out township roads will also be sanctioned by the state government very soon. Laying the foundation stone of the Si-Donyi Festival Ground on the occasion, he asked the elders and leaders of the district to design it in such a way that the entire complex showcases the rich, vibrant tradition and cultural heritage of the Tagin community. All four legislators of the district including Tourism Minister Nakap Nalo, and MLAs Taniya Soki, Rode Bui and Nyato Dukam were present in the celebration. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated the water supply projects under Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission scheme for Lingko village, Chetam CO HQ, Segi-Gusar CO HQ and Maro CO HQ. He also inaugurated Daporijo township road and drainage system, road from Soki village to Raji village, material recovery facility and an eco-fishery park. Besides, Khandu laid the foundation stone of a multi-storey parking lot at Daporijo. The Tagin community people residing in Itanagar capital region also celebrated the 50th Si-Donyi Festival with traditional fervour at the festival ground near the Naharlagun Helipad. The festival was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Education Minister Taba Tedir and Rajiv Gandhi University Vice Chancellor Prof Saket Kushwaha, among other dignitaries. Besides rituals, presentation of mega dance and other traditional dance numbers were the added attractions of the Si-Donyi celebration...////...