US Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster on Monday declared the 4-day Tawang Festival 2019 open.
In a video of the inaugural function of the festival, shared by Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on his Twitter handle on Monday, Juster was heard as saying: “I hereby declare the seventh edition of the Tawang Festival 2019 open.”
United States Ambassador to India Mr Kenneth I Juster declares the 4-day #TawangFestival open. Thank you Mr Kenneth for your kind presence today as Chief Guest for the occasion. @PMOIndia @KirenRijiju @ArunachalTsm @tourismgoi @incredibleindia pic.twitter.com/qv5bp7fa4Q
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) October 28, 2019
Juster has attended the festival as the chief guest.
Khandu also tweeted: “United States Ambassador to India Mr Kenneth I Juster declares the 4-day #TawangFestival open.”
“Thank you Mr Kenneth for your kind presence today as Chief Guest for the occasion,” tweeted Khandu.
Along with Juster the festival has also been attended by Consulate General of the United States in Kolkata, Patti Hoffman.
Earlier, Khandu welcomed Juster and Hoffman to Tawang Festival.
“Welcome to Ambasador Mr. Kenneth I. Juster and Consul General Patti Hoffman for Tawang Festival,” tweeted the Arunachal Pradesh CM.
Welcome to Ambasador Mr. Kenneth I. Juster and Consul General Patti Hoffman for Tawang Festival. pic.twitter.com/2SEAhBtRRC
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) October 28, 2019
After their arrival in Tawang, both Juster and Hoffman visited the historic Tawang Monastery and the War memorial in the afternoon along with chief minister Khandu and other dignitaries.
They also had joint photographs with the monks of the monastery.
Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world after the Potala Palace at Lhasa in Tibet.
The monastery is located in the valley of river Tawang in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh in close proximity to the Tibetan and Bhutanese border.
Sharing a few pictures of the tour to Tawang Monastery and War memorial, Khandu tweeted: “A pleasure to have with us US Ambassador to India Mr. Kenneth I. Juster and Consul General Patti Hoffman at Tawang. A tour of #Tawang Monastery and War memorial this afternoon.”
A pleasure to have with us US Ambasador to India Mr. Kenneth I. Juster and Consul General Patti Hoffman at Tawang. A tour of #Tawang Monastery and War memorial this afternoon. @adgpi pic.twitter.com/eAMYKthtwV
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) October 28, 2019
Since its inception in the year 2012, the festival has become a global event with the participation of distinguished personalities from across the world.
The festival includes a variety of programmes such as religious functions of Buddhist monks, traditional monastic dances, tribal dances, folk dances, music show, adventurous games, traditional sports, exhibitions, film shows, flower show, food festivals, and many more.
According to reports, Juster is likely to join in the Street Carnival show at Old Market of Tawang on Tuesday.