Taking Losar festivities to the LAC, the Indo-China border, for the Indian Army soldiers guarding the country’s borders, Arunachal Pradesh’s Monpa community’s apex body Monpa Mimang Tshogpa (MMT) on March 11 organised a Losar function at the Line of Actual Control near Bumla, situated at an altitude of 15,200 feet above sea level.
The MMT says the aim of the event was to felicitate the soldiers guarding our borders to make them part of the celebration of the local festival and to pay gratitude for their selfless services to the nation.
Deputy commander of Tawang Brigade, Col JS Dodhy, who along with other senior army officers attended the function, expressed his gratitude to the people of Tawang for their support and love and said this would further strengthen the bonhomie between the Indian Army and civilians of Tawang.
The event which was marked by colourful cultural shows and traditional delicacies was also relished by hundreds of tourists visiting Bumla along with the soldiers of the Indian army and organisers.
MMT secretary general Namgey Tsering said: “Safety, good health and happiness to all our soldiers and their family members are always there in our prayers, but we seldom get the opportunity to celebrate our festivals with soldiers. So, this time we have planned this function at LAC to boost the morale of our soldiers and to convey the message that the people of Tawang are always behind our soldiers. We are able to celebrate festivals and enjoy good sleep because our soldiers are sacrificing their comforts for us,” he added.
Earlier, the MMT secretary general along with other executive members offered khadas to all the soldiers and tourists, while the monks from Tawang Monastery performed rituals by hoisting religious prayer flags for the wellbeing of all.
The traditional dances and solo performances by Sonam Yangchin, Tenzin Choiphel, and Tashi Drema were the major attractions of the function. The MMT is planning more such functions with the soldiers in other border posts of the district in days to come, the MMT leader said.
