Kanubari: As many as 23 schools took part in a cultural festival organized by Miao diocese that lies on the eastern extreme of India.

The annual festival, titled Radiance and held under aegis of the Newman Educational Society (NES), the diocese’s educational wing, provides school children in the remote region a platform to exhibit their talents in arts, culture and sports.

The latest festival was held October 19-22 at Savio School, Kanubari, a village in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh.

There were 23 schools this year participating in the event, held at the newly built hall of St. John’s Church, Kanubari. They took part in competitions such assigning of patriotic songs, folk dance, fancy dress, skit, elocution, painting, and pencil drawing.

“The event was not only to give a platform to the students but also to celebrate the diverse culture and tradition of Arunachal Pradesh,” one of the organizers said.

Miao is one of the two Catholic dioceses in Arunachal Pradesh. As many as 21 different tribes live in the diocesan territory.

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao and NES president, called upon the students to imbibe deep love for their culture and environment.

“We must always thank God for the gift of nature. In the context of all the deforestation happening all around, I appeal to you to become more caring for the nature and promoters of green. We must all stop hunting and plant more trees to maintain the balance of ecology,” the Salesian prelate stressed.

NES secretary Father Thomas Erambil asked the students to make Radiance an event to celebrate and respect the diverse culture of Arunachal Pradesh.

The students came dressed in different tribal attire.

Tribes living in the diocesan territory are Adi, Adibasis, Chakma, Deori, Idu, Idu Mishmi, Khamti, Lisu or Yobin, Lazu, Mishmi, Mishmis. Zakhring, Mishing, Ponthais, Singpho, Singpho, Tangsa, Tutsa, Zakhring Nocte, Wancho.

The Holy Rosary School Changlang emerged the overall champion of Radiance 2015 while the host school came second and Krick and Bourry Memorial School, Tezu third.

The festival was first held in 2013 at Roing. The last one was heled at Miao.