Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Chowna Mein on Saturday called upon the people of the state to keep alive their rich culture, language and literature.

Attending the Solung Festival celebration here, he said protection of culture, customs and language "is our own responsibility and we cannot expect others to do it for us".

He lauded the Adi community for having one of the most democratic and secular societies.

"Festival is the mirror of the society and it is the occasion for spreading the message of brotherhood, unity, peace and happiness. A festival should also be the training ground for the upcoming generation to learn the rituals, traditions and culture," he said.

Mein said the state government is making every effort to help the indigenous people in preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage. He said the government had created the department of cultural affairs last year for this purpose and made budgetary allocations for projects like Rs 1 crore for research and documentation programme in partnership with Rajiv Gandhi University to capture tangible and intangible cultural heritage, Rs 5 crore for establishment of a digital museum here and Rs 10 crore for establishment of a heritage village at Itanagar for showcasing the diverse culture of the state.

Assam legislator Ranoj Pegu spoke on the common origin and the age-old cultural linkage and similarities between the Adi and Mising community in particular and the Tani clan as a whole. He suggested the rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh needs to be preserved through structural documentation. He suggested the establishment of a mythological park or an anthropological park in Arunachal for showcasing the diverse culture of the state.

Getom Borang, president of the Solung Festival Celebration Committee, Itanagar, highlighted the mythology and origin of the festival.

Chief executive councillor-cum-president of Mising Baane Kebang Paramananda Chayengia and Deputy Speaker Tumke Bagra also spoke.

Earlier, Mein inaugurated the festival by performing a ritual called taku-tabat which was followed by singing of the Solung anthem. He also released the annual Solung souvenir, Digok Roli (volume XIII), on the occasion.

State BJP president Tapir Gao and Dambuk MLA Gum Tayeng also attended the event.

Mega dance, folk dances and Solung yokyang (tug-of-war) were the other attractions on Saturday.