Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram are celebrating the 31st anniversary of their state foundation day. Arunachal Pradesh was earlier called NEFA (North Eastern Frontier Agency) and Mizoram was part of Assam, the regions got their new names and status as union territories in 1972.
On Feb 20, 1987, both Mizoram and Arunachal became a full fledged state. The northerners have often been accused of showing little to no interest in understanding the culturally diverse and geographically alienated north-eastern part of our country.
We bring to you 11 interesting facts about Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram
1. Being a part of the second most populous country in the world, Arunachal also stands unique for having lowest population density in India.
2. The famous Dong Valley of Arunachal Pradesh witnesses the first sunrise in the country.
3. Parshuramkund Kund ( dedicated Lord Parshuram) in Lohit district and Tawang Monastery in Kameng district attracts huge no. of devotees making it a region with immense religious significance
4. With 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes inhabiting the state ,over 30 languages are spoken in Arunachal making it one of the most lingusitically enriched region in Asian subcontinent.
5. Arunachal is one of the two states (other being Nagaland) where English is the only official language.
6. Arunachal is also home to highest variety of mammals in India, ranging to over 200 species. Arunachal is a paradise for botanists for its rich variety of flora and fauna.
7. With around 92% of its population educated, Mizoram is only second to Kerala in literacy.
8. Mizoram witnessed around two and half decades of insurgency after the government allegedly turned a blind eye to a natural calamity in 1959.
9. To quell insurgency government was forced to bomb its own territory using Toofani and Hunter Jet fighters in Aizwal (Mizoram) on March 5 and 6, 1966.
10. Mizos are believed to have migrated to the region from China over 300 years ago
11. Mizoram is also one of the few states where 87% population is christian. Most of the animist tribes were converted after Britishers took control of the region in 1895.
