Guwahati: The three-day Tawang Festival which is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most anticipated tourism and cultural events has been cancelled in honour of Lumla MLA Jambey Tashi, who passed away on Wednesday.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the event had been postponed for two years and was set to resume on Friday. According to PTI, the Tawang Festival Committee, whose brother Tsetan Chombay is the Festival Director, said it chose to cancel the festival as a “honour and tribute to the great leader” Tashi.
According to festival chief coordinator Namgey Tsering, Tashi was a patron of the event and actively involved in its growth and planning. The event used to draw visitors from all over India and abroad, and it would feature performances by artists from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bollywood.
When reached via phone, Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kesang Ngurup Damo told PTI that Tashi’s commitment to the festival’s expansion was unsurpassed and that his departure would leave a gap that would be impossible to fill.
This “Festival of Dreams” is an initiative to promote the unspoiled Tawang Valley’s tourism potential and rich legacy as well as to broaden the cultural representation of North-East India. Additionally, it highlights the state’s vibrant culture, sports, dance, cuisine, and Buddhist way of life. In 2019, it had drawn more than 40,000 visitors.
The festival’s inaugural iteration took place in 2012. Since 2009, Tashi has served as a legislator three times. At his Lumla mansion, thousands of mourners are paying their respects to the late leader. The deputy commissioner further stated that Monday would see the execution of his final rites.