The Prime Minister of India, on the occasion of the 35th Statehood Day, extended his felicitations to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. Respective states gained their statehood in the year 1986, following the 53rd and 55th amendments to the Indian Constitution. These changes led to Mizoram becoming the 23rd state and Arunachal Pradesh the 24th of the Indian Union.
Mizoram: From District to a State
Mizoram’s journey to statehood began when it was known as the Lushai Hills district within Assam at the time of India’s independence. In 1954, it was renamed the Mizo Hills District of Assam. A significant shift towards autonomy came with the conferment of Union Territory status to Mizoram in 1972 after signing an accord with the moderates of the Mizo National Front (MNF). The final transition from a Union Territory to a full state came in 1986 when the Central government and the MNF signed a settlement memorandum known as the Mizoram Peace Accord.
Geographical and Demographical Overview of Mizoram
Mizoram is bordered by Myanmar and Bangladesh internationally, and Tripura, Assam, and Manipur within the country. The second least populous state of India boasts a literacy rate of 91.58% and a sex ratio of 975 females per 1000 males. The state is home to a rich tapestry of biodiversity with an impressive 85.4% forest cover.
Culture and Lifestyle in Mizoram
The tribal population in Mizoram, known as Mizos, comprises five major tribes and eleven minor ones collectively called Awzia. They practice ‘Jhum Cultivation’ and celebrate two main festivals – Mim Kut and Chapchar Kut. In addition, the state animal is Saza (serow) and the state bird is Vavu (Hume Bartailed Pheasant).
Arunachal Pradesh: Transformation from Agency to State
Previously known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) during British Colonial Rule, Arunachal Pradesh became a Union Territory in 1972. It was only in 1987 that Arunachal Pradesh was separated from Assam and attained the status of a fully-fledged state.
Geographical and Demographical Overview of Arunachal Pradesh
Geographically, Arunachal Pradesh is bordered by Bhutan, China’s Tibetan region, Nagaland, Myanmar, and Assam. The literacy rate in the state stands at 65.38%, with a sex ratio slightly lower than the national average at 938 females per 1000 males. The state capital is Itanagar. The state is home to 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes.
Culture and Lifestyle in Arunachal Pradesh
The majority of Arunachal Pradesh’s population depends on Agriculture, with ‘Jhum cultivation’ practiced widely. Other crops like potatoes and horticulture crops such as pineapple, apple, oranges, etc., also form part of agricultural practices here. Prominent tribal groups include Monpas, Nyishis, Apatanis, Noctes, and Sherdukpens, engaged in agriculture, fishing, livestock rearing, and various cultural practices. The state animal of Arunachal Pradesh is Mithun and the state bird is Hornbill.
Biodiversity in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is known for its rich biodiversity, including the Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve, Namdapha National Park, Mouling National Park, Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pakke Tiger Reserve. These reserves and sanctuaries are home to unique flora and fauna, further enhancing the state’s ecological significance.