Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is set to embark on his first official visit to Arunachal Pradesh, where he will partake in the 38th Statehood Day Celebrations in Itanagar.
Scheduled for February 20, 2024, the Vice President’s Office released a statement detailing the itinerary of Dhankhar’s day-long visit. The statement highlighted that this excursion marks Dhankhar’s inaugural trip to the northeastern state.
During his brief visit, VP Dhankhar will join the momentous 38th Statehood Day celebrations of Arunachal Pradesh as Chief Guest, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
Further, a notable aspect of the Vice President’s itinerary includes a visit to Raj Bhavan, Itanagar, where he is expected to engage in discussions with the Governor, Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik (Retired).
Arunachal Pradesh’s Statehood Day
The occasion holds special significance for Arunachal Pradesh as it commemorates the state’s transition to full-fledged statehood on February 20, 1987. Previously known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the region evolved into a Union Territory on January 20, 1972, subsequently assuming the title of Arunachal Pradesh.
Renowned as the ‘Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains’, Arunachal Pradesh boasts of being India’s remotest state and holds the distinction of being the first Indian soil to greet the rising sun.
Administratively, Arunachal Pradesh is demarcated into sixteen districts, with Itanagar serving as the state capital nestled within the Papum Pare district. The ‘Itanagar’ finds its roots in the historic ‘Ita fort’, symbolizing the ‘fort of bricks’, constructed during the 14th Century AD.
It is pertinent to note that due to its rich geographic location, Arunachal Pradesh adds immense trade-value. The state shares its international border with Bhutan to the west (160 km), China to the North and North-East (1,080 km) and Myanmar to the East (440 km)4. The geographic location provides immense business opportunities in Arunachal Pradesh for international trade with South Asian countries.
