Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, participated in the vibrant Day 2 celebrations of the Maha Sangken Festival at Manfaiseng and Empong villages in Namsai district, alongside Italian Ambassador to India, His Excellency Antonio Enrico Bartoli.
The day began with traditional morning prayers and the ceremonial bathing of the Buddha statue at the Pubbana Sasana Rakkhita Buddha Vihara in Manfaiseng. Ambassador Bartoli was accompanied by his daughter, Miss Julia Bartoli, and colleague Shri Kapil Kumria. The festival witnessed a blend of global and local participation, with international guests from the USA and Thailand, and dignitaries including MLA Shri Oken Tayeng.
In the evening, the delegation moved to Empong, the oldest Tai Khamti village, where they participated in the symbolic Sangken rituals of lighting candle boats and releasing sky lanterns. Prayers were also offered at the Empong Buddha Vihara, known locally as “Ti-Met” or “holy place.”
Speaking on the occasion, DCM Chowna Mein extended a warm welcome to all guests, expressing gratitude for their presence which, he said, added grace and significance to the celebration. He described Sangken as a socio-religious festival of the Tai Khamti community, celebrated as the water festival across Southeast Asia and Yunnan province of China, symbolizing renewal and the arrival of new seasons.
Highlighting the potential for international recognition, Mein emphasized the festival’s cultural importance and its role in promoting Arunachal Pradesh as a tourism destination. “We aim to make Maha Sangken an international cultural festival with wider participation from around the globe to boost Arunachal tourism through culture,” he said.
He thanked Ambassador Bartoli for accepting the invitation and gracing the festival and also acknowledged MLA Shri Oken Tayeng, who serves as Chief Advisor of the International Maha Sangken Festival 2025, for his contributions in inviting renowned tour operators from India and abroad.
DCM Mein also extended his appreciation to all participating tour operators and Thai delegates, underscoring that their presence gave the event a truly international aura. He said this year’s celebration marked the beginning of a broader vision to internationalize the festival in the coming years.
In his address, Ambassador Bartoli expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the warm hospitality shown by the people of Namsai. He lauded the spiritual depth and cultural richness of the celebrations, describing the water rituals as a symbolic purification and new beginning. “The evening rituals of candle boats and sky lanterns reflect harmony with nature and the human spirit,” he said, adding that the participation of Thai delegates lent the festival a distinct international character.
The event also saw the presence of Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Deputy Commissioner C.R. Khampa, revered Bhantes, and a host of guests from Thailand, the USA, and across India, including tour operators and district officials. The celebrations brought together people from all walks of life, reflecting the inclusive and universal appeal of the Maha Sangken Festival. (PR)