Daijiworld Media Network - Guwahati
Guwahati, Apr 7: Hailing India’s Northeast as a ‘jewel,’ German ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann recently shared his admiration for the region’s culture, traditions, and natural beauty after visiting key locations in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
In a heartfelt video message posted on social media, Ackermann said his journey through the Northeast was an immensely rewarding experience. He highlighted the breathtaking living root bridges of Meghalaya, describing the sensation of standing on them as becoming “a part of the natural forest.”
“You wouldn’t suspect that these bridges are not natural. It was fascinating to speak with the local Khasi community and understand how they nurture and shape these roots over years,” the Ambassador noted.
The living root bridges crafted by the Khasi and Jaintia communities are among Meghalaya’s most stunning heritage marvels and have recently been added to UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. These centuries-old structures are still used by locals to cross flooded rivers during the monsoon season.
Continuing his Northeast tour, the German envoy visited Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district. In Hong village, Ackermann explored the Bamboo Garden and later witnessed the traditional Myoko festival at the residence of ZPM Tapi Habung.
During the celebrations, village elders and Gram Panchayat members briefed him on the significance and spiritual essence of the Myoko festival. He commended the Apatani community for preserving their heritage and cultural practices in modern times.
“It was a special glimpse into the life and traditions of the Apatani tribe. I deeply appreciate their dedication to cultural preservation,” Ackermann said.
The Ambassador also visited Seeh and Seekhe Lakes for bird-watching and praised the local community’s commitment to protecting biodiversity.
At the Tarin Aquapark, India’s first integrated fish farm, Ackermann received a warm welcome from a local women’s self-help group. Deputy commissioner Vivek welcomed the diplomat and briefed him about the aquapark’s model of sustainable aquaculture.
Prior to arriving in Arunachal Pradesh, the German ambassador visited Deepor Beel near Guwahati in Assam, a serene freshwater lake located in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River.
The German envoy’s visit has been widely appreciated as a gesture of goodwill and a boost to tourism and cultural ties between India and Germany.