Pangsau Pass International Festival 2026

About this exhibition

The Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) 2026 was held from 20th to 22nd January 2026 at Nampong, Arunachal Pradesh, reaffirming the historic importance of the region and its role as a cultural and strategic gateway between India, Myanmar and South East Asian countries. The festival brought together remembrance, cultural celebration, and cross-border cooperation against the backdrop of the Pangsau Pass, once a critical wartime corridor and today a symbol of peace and friendship. This year’s edition carried special significance with the 80th-anniversary commemoration of World War II, highlighting the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theatre of the War (1942–1945) and the historic Stilwell (Ledo) Road, which played a crucial role in Allied logistics during the conflict. World War II Commemoration and Vintage Willys Jeep Rally A key highlight of the festival was the Vintage Willys Jeep Rally, organised along the historic Old Ledo Road from Namsai to Pangsau Pass. The rally featured classic Willys Jeeps, iconic vehicles of World War II symbolising endurance, engineering excellence, and wartime mobility across rugged terrain. The rally passed through important World War II landmarks including Lalpul Bridge, Hamilton Bridge, Hell Gate, and other stretches of the Old Ledo Road, retracing routes once used to sustain Allied supply lines under extremely challenging conditions. Inauguration of World War II Memorials On the concluding day of the festival, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein inaugurated the World War II Cemetery at Jairampur and unveiled the “Wall of the Forgotten Theater – World War II”, paying homage to soldiers and civilians who lost their lives during the war. He also visited the upgraded World War II Museum, which documents the region’s wartime history and the contribution of local communities. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that the historic Pangsau Pass, once a lifeline during wartime, today stands as a symbol of peace, friendship, and shared heritage. He emphasised the need to remember the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives and those whose contributions remained undocumented. He further noted that indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh including Singphos, Tangsas, Tai Khamtis, Tikhaks, Adis, Noctes, and others played a vital role in the construction of the Stilwell Road as porters, guides, suppliers, and labourers, often working under extreme hardship. He called for efforts to identify and document the names of those who sacrificed their lives and display them in museums for future generations. Tribute to Courage and Service At the World War II Museum, homage was also paid to Sepoy Lamtu Tikhak of the 7th Assam Rifles, a brave soldier from Vintong village in Arunachal Pradesh, who served the nation with distinction during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 1965 Indo-Pak War, and laid down his life in the line of duty in 1967. His life and service were remembered as an enduring example of courage and commitment. Cultural Exchange and Regional Unity The Pangsau Pass International Festival continued its role as a major platform for cross-border cultural exchange between India and Myanmar, featuring traditional dances, indigenous sports, local cuisine, handicrafts, and cultural performances. The festival also provided opportunities for interaction with officials from the Republic of Myanmar, strengthening people-to-people ties across the border. Highlighting the broader vision of the festival, the Deputy Chief Minister said that PPIF has emerged as a heritage festival for Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, with the potential to attract visitors from across the world as a destination for memory tourism. He also recalled the lesser-known contribution of elephants, guided by local mahouts, who supported wartime logistics by hauling supplies, constructing infrastructure, and rescuing vehicles during World War II. Towards Connectivity and Tourism Development The festival also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote border connectivity and regional development. The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated his advocacy for the reopening of the Old Ledo Road and the functionalisation of the Integrated Check Post at Pangsau Pass, aimed at boosting border trade and facilitating the movement of essential goods to remote border areas. He further stated that initiatives such as the Vintage Willys Jeep Rally, Namsai–Pangsau Power Drive, development of World War II museums, and trekking routes to historic and aircraft crash sites are transforming Pangsau Pass into a hub of adventure, heritage, and experiential tourism, creating new economic opportunities for local communities.