The three-day-long ‘Tawang Festival‘, one of the much-awaited tourism and cultural extravaganza of Arunachal Pradesh was cancelled as a mark of respect to the dynamic leader – Jambe Tashi, who passed away on Wednesday at Guwahati’s Downtown Hospital.
The much-awaited event, which was slated to kick-off from November 4, was making a comeback after a two-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This “Festival of Dreams” which draws over 35000 visitors, is an effort to highlight the tourism potential and rich heritage of the pristine Tawang valley; thereby contributing towards the expanding cultural representation of North-East India.
According to sources, the Tawang Festival Committee noted that the decision was made as a “homage and tribute to the great leader” Tashi, who was also an “energetic and humble youth icon”. The Festival director T. Chombay was his brother and chief minister Pema Khandu his cousin.
The Festival chief coordinator – Namgey Tsering stated that “Tashi was actively involved in the planning and expansion of the festival, which attract visitors from all around India and abroad.”
Tashi is survived by his wife, two daughters and one son. The dynamic leader was elected as MLA 3 times since 2009, and also served as a member of the National Minority Morcha of BJP.
In 2009, Tashi was elected unopposed from 1-Lumla S/T Assembly constituency on a Congress ticket. In the 2014 elections for the 1-Lumla Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh, he defeated Independent candidate Theg Tse Rinpoche, on a Congress ticket, by 1499 votes.
Whereas, in 2019 Legislative Assembly elections, he contested on a BJP ticket and defeated Jampa Thrinly Kunkhap of NPP by 1288 votes. Jambey Tashi garnered 4567 votes while Jampa Thrinly Kunkhap attained only 3279 votes.
