Author name: OnlineAge

BOMDILA, The Science Centre and Digital Planetarium project at Dirang received a major push with the first meeting of its Governing Council being held at the conference hall of the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s office in Dirang on Saturday. The meeting was chaired by West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Akriti Sagar. Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology (APSCS&T) director-cum-member secretary CD Mungyak briefed the council on the status of the project and presented an overview of APSCS&T. National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) Guwahati director Sujay Majumdar highlighted the key features of the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) under the Ministry of Culture. “The state-level commitments, including construction of the boundary wall, dedicated power supply and water supply, should be expedited for timely implementation of the project,” he said. Addressing the meeting, West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Akriti Sagar called for close coordination among departments and stakeholders to ensure that the upcoming Science Centre meets national standards. “This is one of the state’s most prestigious projects and it will play a significant role in promoting scientific culture across the North-East region,” she said. The Governing Council resolved to expedite mandatory clearances and strengthen inter-departmental coordination for early commencement of civil works. The Science Centre and Digital Planetarium is being developed under the SPoCS scheme with technical support from the NCSM and is expected to emerge as a hub for science education, innovation and tourism in West Kameng district. Among others, Dirang Additional Deputy Commissioner Choiki Dondup, APSCS&T-DBT-BRSD joint director Dr Debajit Mahanta, West Kameng Deputy Director of School Education Ribom Basar Gamlin, NCSM Guwahati superintending engineer Asif Salim, Dirang PWD executive engineer Uku Joram, chief architect of M/S Kothari and Associates Bimal Mistry and Arunachal Pradesh Science Centre curator Vivek Kumar attended the meeting. (DIPR)  

ITANAGAR, AIIMS-Guwahati President Bhupendra Kumar Singh Sanjay on Saturday called on Arunachal Pradesh Governor K T Parnaik at the Lok Bhavan here and discussed the evolving healthcare scenario in the northeastern region, with focus on the challenges in the state. According to an official statement, Parnaik shared his concern over the growing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stress-related disorders, and cardiovascular ailments in people across all age groups. Stressing the importance of preventive healthcare, he requested AIIMS-Guwahati to undertake dedicated studies and research initiatives to identify region-specific causes and recommend practical remedies suited to the socio-cultural and geographical conditions in the region. Highlighting the need for a holistic healthcare approach, the governor emphasised the importance of introducing the latest technologies and advanced medical research into the state’s healthcare ecosystem. He urged AIIMS-Guwahati to share healthcare innovations, research findings, and best medical practices with health officials and institutions of Arunachal Pradesh to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve diagnostic capabilities, and enhance patient care. Sanjay, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon and Padma Shri awardee, assured the governor of AIIMS-Guwahati’s cooperation and support to strengthen healthcare collaboration with Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences. (Source: PTI)    

TAWANG, Arunachal Pradesh State Food Commission (APSFC) Chairman Tarh Tarak, accompanied by Commission Member Maji Choker, reviewed the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) schemes in Tawang district during a visit on Saturday. The APSFC team is on a four-day tour of western Arunachal Pradesh covering Tawang, West Kameng, Bichom and East Kameng districts to assess the implementation of the NFSA and related welfare schemes. A review meeting chaired by Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo was attended by implementing officers from various line departments. Key schemes reviewed included PM POSHAN, Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), the Public Distribution System (PDS), and National Health Mission schemes for pregnant and lactating women. Addressing the meeting, APSFC Chairman Tarh Tarak appreciated the coordinated efforts of officers and officials of various departments. “The Central and State governments have introduced several important schemes related to food security, food safety and healthcare to ensure healthy living and wellbeing of the people,” Tarak said. “All schemes under the NFSA must be implemented effectively and officers should ensure that no grievances arise from the public”, he added. Later, the Commission team inspected the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown in Tawang, along with several fair price shops and cooperative outlets. During the inspection, the team found that the FCI godown had adequate foodgrain stock to meet requirements during the upcoming monsoon season and that the storage facility was well maintained. Among others present during the review meeting and inspections were Tawang Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Dondup Pema, Lumla CDPO Diris Diengdoh, Tawang Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) Hridhar Phuntso, Medical Superintendent Dr Tenzin Kunga, SIFCS Sange Tsering Kee, and Food Safety Officer Assistant Dorjee Phuntso. (DIPR)    

ITANAGAR, As part of the National Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Management Programme (NGRMP) and efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, the Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) on Saturday organised a three-day hands-on training programme on bathymetry survey devices in Itanagar. The programme aimed to enhance the technical capacity of officials and experts expected to participate in surveys of identified high-risk glacial lakes in the state. Arunachal Pradesh currently has 32 identified high-risk glacial lakes that pose potential threats of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. The training began with theoretical sessions on the technical aspects, operation and applications of bathymetry survey devices, followed by practical demonstrations and field-based exercises at Ganga Lake. Participants were also trained in data collection and processing techniques. Experts and officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Arunachal Pradesh Space Application Centre (APSAC), Water Resources Department, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) participated in the programme. Speaking on the occasion, APSDMA Joint Director said, “Bathymetric surveys are essential to assess the risks posed by identified high-risk glacial lakes and to facilitate mitigation planning.” “Despite several earlier attempts, bathymetric studies could not be conducted due to administrative challenges. APSDMA subsequently procured its own bathymetry survey device to carry forward the work,” he said. The Joint Director further said, “APSDMA currently lacks sufficient technical experts in this field and therefore requires support from specialists across various departments. Full cooperation during future survey and mitigation activities is crucial.” He also stressed the need for conducting Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) studies to examine the internal structure and stability of moraine dams surrounding glacial lakes. “ERT assessments are vital for effective risk management and for planning appropriate mitigation measures,” he added, while appealing to the concerned departments to support APSDMA in conducting the studies. The initiative forms part of APSDMA’s broader strategy to strengthen preparedness against potential GLOF incidents amid concerns over the increasing size of several glacial lakes and the risks posed to downstream communities.  

ITANAGAR, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh unit, on Saturday launched its district-level training programme at Tawang under the nationwide Pandit Deendayal Prashikshan Mahabhiyan 2026. The state-level training initiative will be conducted from May 9 to May 31 across 12 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, beginning with the inaugural session at Tawang. Delegates from Tawang, West Kameng and Bichom districts participated in the programme. The programme was inaugurated by BJP Arunachal Pradesh president Kaling Moyong. Addressing the gathering, Moyong said the BJP is a cadre-based party driven by ideology, discipline and commitment to national service. “The BJP stands apart because of its dedicated karyakartas who work selflessly for the nation and the organisation,” he said. Highlighting opportunities for grassroots leadership within the party, he cited the example of a newly elected woman MLA from West Bengal who rose from a humble background. “The BJP believes in empowering ordinary workers and giving leadership opportunities based on dedication and hard work,” he said. Moyong also congratulated BJP workers in West Bengal and Assam for their electoral successes and praised their commitment and organisational strength. He said the training programme in Arunachal Pradesh would cover 11 core subjects along with additional topics introduced by the state unit, including the achievements of the BJP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu over the past nine years. “I urge all trainees to learn sincerely from the sessions conducted by the resource persons. Such programmes help strengthen both individual capacity and the party organisation with ideological clarity,” he said. State BJP vice-president and training programme convenor Ashok Sangchujo also addressed the gathering and explained the structure and objectives of the training initiative. Lumla MLA Tsering Lhamu attended the inaugural session as the host MLA, while Nari-Koyu MLA Tojir Kadu participated as a resource person. Among others, BJP state general secretaries Junty Singpho and Tadar Niglar, state secretaries Taring Tiri, Joram Tat and Panku Wangsu, state media convenor Dolang Tako, BJYM state president Tame Siyang Tarh, Minority Morcha state president Taring Rai, Kamle district in-charge Golom Bogy, Tawang district in-charge Gumjum Haider and former Mahila Morcha state president Kohman Lungphi Ngemu attended the programme along with party office bearers and senior karyakartas.      

PASIGHAT, The Nyishi Students’ Union Pasighat (NSUP) on Saturday visited the Seed Children Home here and spent time with orphaned and underprivileged children as part of a social outreach initiative. The Seed Children Home provides shelter and support to orphaned and vulnerable children in the region. During the visit, NSUP members and volunteers interacted with the children, sharing joyful moments and extending encouragement and essential support. Leading the delegation, NSUP president Miching Tagia thanked members and supporters for making the programme successful and urged students and youths to actively participate in social welfare activities. “Serving humanity with compassion and dedication is a responsibility we must all embrace,” he said. The visit was organised under the motto, “Unity in Action, Humanity in Compassion,” reflecting the union’s commitment to promoting social harmony and collective responsibility through humanitarian initiatives.