Author name: OnlineAge

AALO : Aalo West MLA Topin Ete on Saturday called upon journalists to uphold the highest standards of ethics and refrain from publishing half-truths or misinformation, asserting that responsible journalism is essential for safeguarding democracy. Inaugurating the Aalo Press Club in the presence of Arunachal Press Club (APC) president Amar Sangno, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) president Dodum Yangfo, West Siang Deputy Commissioner Mindo Loyi, former minister Kento Ete and others, the MLA said biased or inaccurate reporting could undermine public confidence in the Legislature, Judiciary and Executive. “We want journalists who know what they are doing rather than spreading misinformation,” he said. Congratulating Aalo Press Club president Domin Ete and members of the newly established press club, Sangno urged journalists to strictly adhere to the Press Council of India guidelines and maintain the highest standards of ethical journalism. He said the media must have the courage to expose shortcomings in governance and report the truth without fear or favour to earn and retain public trust. Recalling the history of the journalist fraternity in the state, Sangno said the APUWJ was founded in 1981 by veteran journalists P.B. Dasgupta, A.K. Bhattacharjya and Prem Bahadur Rai, while the then Itanagar Press Club, now the APC, was established on October 4, 1982. West Siang Deputy Commissioner Mindo Loyi assured support to the Aalo Press Club from untied funds, subject to government guidelines. Addressing the gathering, APUWJ president Dodum Yangfo urged journalists to discharge their responsibilities with sensitivity and professionalism, cautioning against passing judgments before facts are fully established. He also assured the APUWJ’s continued support to the Aalo Press Club. The programme also highlighted the history of the APC, noting that its first office was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Gegong Apang in 1995, while the present APC building at Ganga was inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in 2022. Aalo Press Club president Domin Ete and general secretary Minpe Pakam expressed gratitude to the APC and the APUWJ for their support in establishing the Aalo Press Club.    

ITANAGAR : A two-year-long leadership dispute within the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) has been resolved amicably following a successful mediation process, paving the way for a united organisation under the leadership of Asok Doka as president. The breakthrough was achieved through sustained mediation efforts led by Chopa Cheda as the chief mediator, with Khya Acha serving as co-mediator. Their intervention brought rival leaders Asok Doka and Lezen Gyadi to the negotiating table and helped secure a mutually acceptable settlement, people associated with the reconciliation process said. According to the mediators, the agreement formally ended nearly two years of internal divisions that had affected the functioning of one of the most influential student organisations of the Nyishi community, with both Gyadi and Doka claiming to be the president of ANSU, leading to a prolonged leadership dispute. Addressing reporters, Cheda firmly dismissed assertions that the reconciliation was driven by financial inducements or political assurances, asserting that the initiative was undertaken solely to preserve the union’s credibility, legacy and institutional integrity. “There were no monetary transactions or promises of schemes as many might claim as ANSU is not a government body. If required, we are ready to face any scrutiny under local laws to prove the same. This is not about any deal, it is about protecting the legitimacy and history of the union,” he said. Taking a swipe at critics, Cheda, who is also the president of Arunachal Publishers and Broadcasters Guild (APBG), alleged that some individuals had taken pleasure in witnessing the prolonged standoff between the two factions rather than making efforts to resolve it. Describing ANSU as one of the most significant organisations of the Nyishi community, he said the union had produced several legislators, entrepreneurs, businessmen and community leaders over the years, making its unity crucial for the larger interests of the community. Cheda also urged the Nyishi Elite Society (NES), the apex community body, to play a more proactive, impartial and constructive role in resolving such disputes in future instead of remaining passive or being perceived as biased. Co-mediator Khya Acha said that under the terms of the settlement, Asok Doka would lead the ANSU, while Lezen Gyadi had agreed to put all differences behind him in the larger interest of the organisation. “Lezen has morally agreed not to carry the issue forward and has accepted that Doka will lead ANSU under one banner so that there will be no more factions. This decision has been taken in the greater interest of the organisation and the Nyishi community,” Acha said. He expressed confidence that the reunification would enable the student body to shift its focus from internal disputes to issues concerning students, youth and the welfare of the Nyishi community. Acha also appealed to all office-bearers and executive members of the union to maintain harmony, strengthen mutual trust and work collectively to uphold the ideals, unity and objectives of ANSU.        

SHERGAON : Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik (Retd) on Saturday urged the youths to look beyond traditional farming and view horticulture as a source of livelihood, innovation, value addition, and employment generation. Interacting with farmers, horticulturists, and officials during a visit to the State Horticulture Farm at Shergaon in West Kameng district, the governor said agriculture and horticulture are not merely occupations, but powerful instruments for economic growth, self-reliance, and rural prosperity. Parnaik emphasised the need to transfer modern scientific methods, innovative farming practices, and advanced technologies from research farms to villages so that local youth can transform the sector into profitable entrepreneurial ventures. Highlighting the state’s favourable climate and rich natural resources for cultivating high-value temperate fruits, he called upon farmers and young entrepreneurs to become active partners in the state’s journey towards sustainable development and the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision. During the visit, the governor was shown demonstrations of modern scientific methods in horticulture, including the use of drone technology for farm management and crop monitoring. Commending the farm management, Parnaik said such technologies optimise resource utilisation and support efficient, sustainable farming. State Horticulture Farm in-charge Kuru Ama informed the governor that the Shergaon facility functions as a model institution cultivating over 40 varieties of apples alongside plum, pear, chestnut, cherry, walnut, and persimmon. He added that the farm plays a pivotal role in crop diversification and distributing quality planting materials to boost regional farm incomes. Parnaik also inspected the Trout Hatching Farm at Shergaon, established in 1979, where he advocated for the integrated development of horticulture and cold-water fisheries to maximise rural earnings and strengthen food security. According to District Fishery Development Officer Pema Khandu Thungon, the trout farm produces around two metric tonnes of trout and 1.5 lakh trout seeds annually across its 25 raceways and hatchery. (Source: PTI)      

BOLENG :  The Dosing Kumku Clean & Green Village Mission was launched at Dosing village under Boleng circle on Friday, marking the beginning of a community-driven initiative to promote cleanliness, environmental conservation and sustainable rural development in line with the objectives of the Pakke Declaration, 2047. The inaugural programme was attended by Boleng Circle Officer Kali Mara, Boleng Member-Secretary (Panchayati Raj) Niyang Pertin, members of the Dosing Social Welfare Society, Gaon Burahs, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members, Self-Help Group (SHG) members, youth representatives and villagers. A key highlight of the programme was the constitution of a dedicated Mission Committee, which will serve as the nodal body for planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring all activities under the initiative. Following the inauguration, villagers participated in a community-wide social service drive, cleaning public spaces, roadside drains and other common areas. The mission is being implemented by the Office of the Member-Secretary (Panchayati Raj), Boleng, with facilitation from the Pakke Declaration Secretariat Cell under the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It aims to translate the vision of the Pakke Declaration, 2047 into practical action at the village level while advancing the objectives of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 through scientific waste management, environmental stewardship and community participation. The Pakke Declaration provides a roadmap for climate resilience and sustainable development through five thematic pillars—environment, climate-resilient growth, health and wellbeing, sustainable and adaptive living, and evidence generation and collaborative action. The initiative seeks to localise these goals by integrating government programmes with community participation. Officials noted that while biodegradable waste in rural areas is generally managed through composting and livestock feeding, disposal of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste remains a major challenge. Dosing village also faces issues such as open roadside drains, the absence of household and community dustbins, free movement of stray livestock and the need for greater public awareness on environmental responsibility. To address these challenges, the district administration has initiated measures, including restrictions on free-roaming stray livestock. The Mission Committee will work with village institutions to implement these measures. An exposure visit to Pangin Clean Model Village has also been planned to enable village representatives to study successful community-led waste management practices. The mission envisages installation of bamboo dustbins in every household, source segregation of waste, scientific management of plastic waste, plantation drives, environmental awareness campaigns and convergence of government schemes. In addition, the Office of the Member-Secretary (Panchayati Raj), Boleng, has proposed an Integrated Livelihood, Sustainable Mobility and Waste Management Initiative, which includes the phased introduction of a dual-purpose electric rickshaw for plastic waste collection and sustainable rural transport. The Dosing Kumku Clean & Green Village Mission is envisioned as a replicable model of sustainable rural development that integrates environmental conservation, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and participatory governance through active community involvement.