PASIGHAT, SEP 12:
Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), Pasighat, hosted a series of literary and fine arts competitions on Saturday as part of the month-long Vande Mataram @ 150 (VM150) celebrations sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Organised by the Department of Mass Communication, the competitions marked the prelude to the three-day national celebration scheduled at the APU campus from October 7 to 9. The main event will be inaugurated by the Union Minister of Culture.
Around 160 students from across East Siang district participated in four competitions—Painting and Poster Making, Essay Writing, Poetry Writing and Vande Mataram Singing—in Junior and Senior categories.
Students from Jawaharlal Nehru College, APU, North East Institute of Ayurveda and Folk Medicine Research, Daying Ering College of Teacher Education and Government Polytechnic College Pasighat, besides students from several schools in the district, took part in the competitions.
Painting and Poster Making recorded 37 participants, Essay Writing 63, Poetry Writing 40 and Vande Mataram Singing 20 participants.
The competitions focused on themes linking the national narrative with Arunachal Pradesh’s frontier experience, including the legacy and relevance of Vande Mataram, unsung heroes of the state’s freedom struggle, the meaning of the motherland, frontier landscape, national integration and tribal identity.
Speaking on the occasion, Vande Mataram @ 150 convener Dr Prem Taba said Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, was not merely a song but the “soul of India’s freedom movement”. He said the VM150 initiative aimed to provide youths a platform to engage with history, culture and national identity and reflect on the idea of the motherland from the perspective of Arunachal Pradesh.
Taba said the competitions carry cash prizes and certificates, with results to be announced during the inaugural ceremony on October 7.
He added that the celebrations would continue with community-oriented programmes, including a 5.5-km ‘Run for Vande Mataram’ mini marathon from Gandhi Chowk to APU on September 13, to be flagged off by BJP Arunachal Pradesh State President Kaling Moyong, followed by a river cleanup drive on the Siang on September 19, a national seminar, cultural programmes, exhibitions and community outreach activities ahead of the October 7-9 grand finale.
APU Registrar Narmi Darang, Dean Academics Prof PC Jena, Assistant Registrar (Academics) Likha Rinchin, heads of departments, faculty members, research scholars and students attended the programme.
