The state’s first-ever five-day Sunrise Festival was launched by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu at Dong Valley in Anjaw district, India’s easternmost settlement that receives the sun’s first rays each day. Along with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao, Hayuliang local MLA, and Minister for Women and Child Development Dasanglu Pul, the Chief Minister arrived in Dong village. Dong, which lies on the India-China border, is well-known for being the location where Indian soil is first touched by daybreak.
Speaking to the crowd, Khandu explained that the Sunrise Festival celebrates Dong’s distinct personality and seeks to highlight the area’s natural beauty, indigenous culture, and possibilities for adventure. The state’s inaugural Sunrise Festival will take place in Dong, the location of India’s first sunrise. He added, “This celebration offers visitors a rare blend of nature, culture, and adventure and highlights Dong’s unique distinction as the easternmost point of India.”
According to the Chief Minister, the event was designed as a platform to encourage ethical and sustainable travel while generating new sources of income for nearby communities. He went on to say that the project would help establish Dong on the international tourism map as a significant marker of India’s geographical and cultural character. With the goal of drawing national and international attention to one of India’s most isolated yet symbolically significant places, the five-day festival is anticipated to include cultural performances, regional cuisine, nature-based activities, and community-driven tourism projects.
