ONLINE AGE

(Online version of the Arunachal Age newspaper)

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Latest News, Popular News, State News

DNGC signs MoU with firm to boost student employability, organic farming

ITANAGAR : Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Itanagar, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NESO Fugensus Pvt. Ltd. (NE-ORGANICS) to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and enhance student employability through skill development, internships, entrepreneurship and organic farming initiatives. The five-year agreement was signed by DNGC Principal Dr M Q Khan and NESO Fugensus Director and CEO Nima Sona in the presence of representatives from both organisations. The MoU may be renewed with mutual consent. Under the partnership, the two institutions will collaborate to provide internships, industrial exposure and project opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The agreement also provides for workshops, seminars, faculty and student exchange programmes, and short-term training courses to strengthen academic and professional competencies. A major focus of the collaboration will be the promotion of organic farming, sustainable agricultural practices and rural entrepreneurship. The partners will jointly organise awareness programmes, capacity-building initiatives and technology transfer activities for farmers, self-help groups (SHGs) and rural entrepreneurs. The MoU also envisages collaborative research, joint publications and other academic engagements to promote innovation and knowledge-sharing, besides entrepreneurship development programmes and career guidance to help students become industry-ready. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Khan said the partnership would bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical industry experience while creating new opportunities for students to develop entrepreneurial skills and contribute meaningfully to society. Representatives of NESO Fugensus said the company remains committed to promoting sustainable organic agriculture and creating opportunities for young people through innovation, training and collaborative initiatives. The agreement also includes provisions on confidentiality, dispute resolution and mutual responsibilities to ensure a transparent and long-term partnership focused on academic excellence and socio-economic development. The collaboration is expected to strengthen DNGC’s efforts to provide experiential learning opportunities while contributing to Arunachal Pradesh’s vision of sustainable development, organic farming and youth empowerment.      

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East Siang reviews development works, stresses quality and timely execution

PASIGHAT : East Siang Additional Deputy Commissioner (i/c Deputy Commissioner) Pebika Lego chaired the District Development Review-cum-District Level Monitoring Committee (DDR-cum-DLMC) meeting at the DC’s Conference Hall here on Friday, reviewing the progress of developmental programmes and public service delivery across the district. The meeting was attended by East Siang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ruth Tabing Boko, Zilla Parishad Members and Heads of Departments (HoDs). Reviewing the implementation of various government programmes, Lego stressed the need to maintain quality in all developmental works and directed the departments concerned to ensure timely and efficient execution of projects. She asked HoDs to candidly highlight field-level challenges so that appropriate interventions could be initiated without delay. Emphasising administrative efficiency, the ADC instructed departments to deploy capable personnel for effective discharge of official responsibilities and directed the Education Department to submit its Action Taken Report at the earliest. She also reviewed the functioning of the Agriculture, Veterinary and Fisheries departments and sought details of banking-related issues, delays or other constraints affecting implementation of government schemes. She advised all departments to hold regular internal coordination meetings before submitting reports to ensure accuracy, consistency and better inter-departmental coordination. Highlighting East Siang’s tourism potential, Lego said several villages have immense scope for tourism development and called for coordinated efforts by the Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC), Panchayati Raj Institutions and local communities to improve village infrastructure and aesthetics to attract visitors. She also asked departments to involve the District Information and Public Relations Officer (DIPRO) while organising awareness programmes and training so that government initiatives receive wider publicity. The ADC further urged all departments to ensure that eligible casual workers, Assistant Labour Commissioners (ALCs) and departmental staff are enrolled under social security schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY), besides ensuring timely renewal of these schemes. During the meeting, East Siang Deputy Director of School Education Adhuk Tabing highlighted difficulties in obtaining Land Possession Certificates (LPCs) for schools. He informed that several schools are located on Forest Department land where obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) has become difficult. In some cases, descendants of families who had donated land for schools have refused to issue NOCs, claiming the land was donated without proper family consent or compensation, while some have demanded government employment for a family member in return. Lego appealed to the Zilla Parishad Chairperson and Zilla Parishad Members to play a proactive role in resolving grassroots issues, stating that their intervention as elected representatives is crucial for effective governance and timely redressal of public grievances. She also directed departments to submit verified and accurate data, stressing that official reports must reflect the ground reality. Speaking during the meeting, East Siang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ruth Tabing Boko underscored the importance of close coordination between government departments and elected representatives, stating that active involvement of ZPMs facilitates timely and amicable resolution of local issues. Heads of various departments also shared challenges faced in implementing developmental programmes and delivering public services, with discussions focusing on practical solutions through stronger inter-departmental coordination. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the district administration and participating departments to strengthen governance and accelerate the overall development of East Siang district. (DIPR)        

Latest News, Popular News, State News

ABK Youth Wing disburses Rs 4.17 lakh flood relief to East Siang families

Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT : The Adi Ba:ne Kebang Youth Wing (ABKYW-Apex) has distributed ₹4.17 lakh in financial assistance to flood-affected families in East Siang district after raising the amount through a voluntary online contribution drive launched in the aftermath of the devastating floods of June 28. ABKYW Apex president Narmi Oki Dai said the one-day fundraising campaign received voluntary contributions from people across Namsai, Yingkiong, Boleng, Pasighat and Itanagar. He expressed gratitude to all individuals and organisations who extended support to the flood victims. Following field inspections, the Youth Wing prioritised assistance to families whose Wet Rice Cultivation (WRC) fields and houses had suffered extensive damage. Financial assistance was disbursed according to the extent of losses incurred. The relief was distributed as follows: Sido village ₹25,000; Korang village ₹20,000; Bilat village ₹40,000; Boying village ₹40,000; Mongku village ₹12,000; Ledum village ₹1.80 lakh, including ₹1.05 lakh for seven damaged WRC fields and ₹75,000 for three damaged houses; Mirem village ₹75,000 for five damaged WRC fields; and Rasam village ₹25,000 for one damaged house. Oki Dai said members of the Youth Wing personally visited the affected villages and witnessed the hardships faced by the residents. He noted that Korang and Sido villages continue to face serious difficulties due to damaged roads and disrupted drinking water supply. On behalf of the organisation and the flood-affected families, he appealed to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, East Siang Deputy Commissioner and the departments concerned, including the Rural Engineering Department (RED), Public Works Department (PWD) and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), to restore road connectivity and drinking water facilities in the affected villages at the earliest. Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, Oki Dai said the overwhelming support received from donors across the state reflected the spirit of unity and collective responsibility during times of crisis.    

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DLMC reviews projects

TAWANG : Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo chaired the third District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) meeting on Friday, directing departments to expedite developmental works, strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure timely completion of projects. The meeting, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, was attended by Tawang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Leki Gombu, Tawang Superintendent of Police Tasi Darang, Additional Deputy Commissioners Hakraso Kri (Jang) and Tashi Dhondup (Lungla), Heads of Departments, Executive Engineers and officials of project-implementing agencies. Earlier, Assistant Commissioner-cum-District Planning Officer Nawang Thutan welcomed the participants and outlined the agenda. In her opening remarks, the Deputy Commissioner directed all Heads of Departments and field-level officials to remain stationed at their respective headquarters to ensure accountability and effective implementation of government programmes. The review began with a presentation by the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), Lungla Division, on the progress of ongoing projects, followed by presentations from other implementing departments. Reviewing the progress, Angmo directed all departments to include photographs of ongoing works and completed milestones in future presentations. She observed that review meetings would be meaningful only if they reflected tangible progress on the ground. She instructed that from the next DLMC meeting onwards, every department should present comparative photographs showing the status of projects during the previous review and their current stage of execution to facilitate objective assessment. Highlighting the importance of sustainable development, the Deputy Commissioner enquired whether plastic waste was being utilised in road metalling works wherever feasible and encouraged departments to adopt environmentally sustainable construction practices. Expressing concern over delays in project execution, she directed Executive Engineers to issue notices to contractors responsible for slow progress and take appropriate measures to ensure timely completion of works. She also stressed the need to expedite projects under the Vibrant Villages Programme, considering their strategic importance for border area development. The Deputy Commissioner further asked departments to proactively highlight implementation bottlenecks for timely intervention. She directed that future DLMC presentations should include project-wise physical and financial progress, target completion dates, challenges and proposed solutions, adding that forthcoming meetings would begin with a review of the Action Taken Report on decisions taken in the previous meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Tawang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Leki Gombu appreciated the efforts of implementing departments in maintaining satisfactory progress despite the district’s short working season and logistical challenges. He urged departments to further accelerate developmental works while maintaining quality standards. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and ensure timely and quality execution of developmental projects across Tawang district. (DIPR)

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Veterans’ outreach prog

TUTING : The Indian Army organised ‘Shaurya Sambandh’, a veterans’ outreach programme, at Tuting in Upper Siang district on July 23 to strengthen support for ex-servicemen, Veer Naris, Veer Matas and their families living in one of the country’s remotest border regions. The initiative aimed to connect with veterans residing in geographically challenging areas where access to welfare services is often limited, reaffirming the Army’s commitment to their welfare and well-being. During the programme, participants were informed about various Central government and Indian Army welfare schemes, including pension benefits, healthcare facilities, financial assistance, resettlement opportunities and other entitlements available to ex-servicemen and Veer Naris. They were also guided on the procedures for availing these benefits. A grievance redressal session formed a key part of the programme, providing veterans and their family members an opportunity to raise concerns directly with Army representatives. Individual cases were heard and steps initiated to facilitate their resolution through the appropriate authorities. The outreach programme also recognised the contributions and sacrifices of the veteran community while reinforcing the values of gratitude, dignity and national pride. The Indian Army said the initiative reflects its continued commitment to ensuring that ex-servicemen and Veer Naris in remote border areas remain connected to welfare services and receive timely support, regardless of their location.

National, REGIONAL

Sikkim tunnel collapse: Body of Kerala-based geologist to be brought back at earliest: CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday said that the government was making all efforts to bring back the body of a Kerala-based geologist who died in the NHPC hydropower project tunnel collapse in Sikkim on July 20. Twenty-five people died in the incident, including Aneesh Mohan, who hails from Pampady in Kottayam district. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), in a statement, said that Mohan’s body, which was recovered late Thursday night, will be brought back to Kerala as soon as possible. It said that the body will reach Kolkata airport by around 1pm on Friday as it is being transported by road from Sikkim. The body will be embalmed at the airport in a special mobile embalming unit arranged due to the intervention by NORKA, the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs, the CMO statement said. After embalming, the body will be taken to Kochi on the earliest possible flight. An ambulance facility will also be arranged to take the body to Mohan’s home in Kottayam from the Kochi airport, the statement said. (Source: PTI)          

REGIONAL

Assam govt facing issue of finding appropriate land for rehabilitation of calamity-hit people: Min

GUWAHATI : The Assam government was faced with the issue of finding appropriate land for rehabilitating those rendered homeless by natural calamities despite having laws and policies for such allocations, a minister informed the Assembly on Friday. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta, while replying to a private member’s resolution in the Assembly seeking rehabilitation of people rendered landless due to natural calamities, said various steps were being taken to address the issue, including survey of ‘char’ (riverine) areas. The minister said various legal provisions, including ‘The Assam Land and Revenue Regulation of 1886’, are already in place for allotment of plots to landless citizens. Moreover, different governments have also formulated various policies during their regimes for land allotment and many citizens have been rehabilitated, he added. Mahanta maintained that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has a sympathetic approach towards allotting land to the landless people, and cited the Assam Land Policy, 2019, which prioritises allocation of plots to those rendered homeless due to natural calamities. He added that the chief minister has suggested some amendments in the policy and work was underway on those. The minister said that finding government land for allotment is also an important part of rehabilitation. He claimed that available government land has been encroached, including some by landless people. Mahanta said that with the survey of the ‘char’ areas commencing, land allotment can be started in those parts after due processes are completed, and it will help in addressing the issue of rehabilitation to a large extent. Earlier, speaking during the discussion, Congress MLA Abdur Rahim Ahmed said short- as well as long-term measures are required to address the problem. He said ‘char’ dwellers are deprived of rehabilitation packages as they do not have land rights, and the departments concerned are hesitant to provide them with ‘erosion-affected’ certificates, which would help them in getting government benefits. Ahmed also maintained that the need to submit proof of being dwellers of the area for at least the last three generations is also a problem as there is no clarity on which papers will serve as legal proof. Echoing him, another Congress legislator, Jakir Hussain Sikdar, said that erosion-hit displaced people are often treated as foreigners in other parts of the state when they go to settle in those areas. “The government should provide these people with erosion-affected certificates and provide rehabilitation,” he said. Mehboob Muktar of Raijor Dal cited the economic hardships families face when they lose their homes to erosion and said that on top of it, they are branded as ‘foreigners’ and go through social and administrative injustices. Opposition AIUDF’s Mujibur Rahman and TMC’s Sherman Ali Ahmed, while highlighting the plight of the landless people, also criticised the Congress for not addressing the issue of rehabilitation when it was in power. (Source: PTI)    

REGIONAL

Nagaland signs MoU to shift SAI Training Centre to MDSC Dimapur

KOHIMA : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday announced that the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to relocate the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre to the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex (MDSC) in Dimapur. In a post on X, Rio said the MoU was signed in the presence of Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports Keoshu Yimkhiung, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Deputy Director General Manjushree Daya, and other dignitaries. According to the chief minister, the relocation marks “a significant milestone” in strengthening Nagaland’s sports ecosystem and creating greater opportunities for young athletes. Describing the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex as more than just a sports facility, Rio said it represents an investment in the state’s youth, a symbol of hope, and a foundation for sporting excellence in Nagaland. He said the shift would provide access to quality infrastructure, professional coaching, and the right opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest level. Rio thanked the Sports Authority of India for partnering with the state, stating that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a vibrant sports ecosystem that connects every district and supports aspiring athletes. He added that the new facility would provide quality coaching and scientific support while strengthening the overall sports ecosystem in the Northeast. The chief minister also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for prioritising sports as a means of youth empowerment. He acknowledged the support of Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State Raksha Khadse, and former Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, under whose leadership, he said, the initiative gained momentum. (Source: PTI)

Editorial

Tunnel collapse: Safety cannot be an afterthought

The tunnel — part of NHPC’s 500 MW Teesta Stage-VI hydropower project, built by contractor Patel Engineering – caved in on July 20 after workers reportedly tried to vent a pocket of naturally occurring methane gas trapped in the rock. That attempt is suspected to have triggered an explosion, which set off a landslide, sealing the tunnel’s mouth. Of the 27 people inside, only two could escape. Days on, NDRF, SDRF and mine-safety teams are still fighting low oxygen, carbon monoxide and blocked debris to reach those unaccounted for, as the confirmed toll keeps climbing. What makes this tragedy so hard to accept is how familiar the warning signs look in hindsight. Methane pockets trapped in young Himalayan rock are a known hazard in this terrain, and standard practice calls for careful monitoring and controlled release — not an on-the-spot venting attempt near a live worksite. That such an attempt could trigger an explosion powerful enough to bring down the tunnel roof points to a breakdown in monitoring, ventilation or protocol — questions the promised inquiry must answer honestly, not defensively. This is not an isolated failure. In 2023, all 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel were pulled out alive after a globally watched 17-day rescue. In 2025, a similar collapse at Telangana’s SLBC tunnel ended far worse, with most trapped workers never recovered alive. Each time, officials promise inquiries and stricter norms; each time, the cycle repeats at the next site, and another list of names is read into a moment of silence — as Sikkim’s Assembly did this week for the Samardung victims. Preventing a repeat needs more than compensation cheques, necessary as those are for grieving families. India needs mandatory, real-time gas monitoring and ventilation on every underground worksite, not only coal mines; independent safety clearances that precede construction rather than follow disaster; enforceable protocols for handling suspected gas pockets; and public, time-bound accounting of past inquiries, so contractors understand negligence carries consequences beyond a bad headline. Migrant workers — Samardung’s victims came from West Bengal, Assam, Punjab and Uttarakhand, and Sikkim itself — deserve written safety briefings, accident insurance and enforced contracts, not just an ex-gratia cheque after they are gone. The men who died at Samardung were building the power lines meant to light homes hundreds of kilometres away —infrastructure the rest of the country will use without a second thought. They deserved a worksite built with the same urgency now spent on their rescue. Until India treats tunnel safety as non-negotiable rather than an afterthought, the next collapse isn’t a possibility. It’s a schedule. (Source: The Pioneer)  

Editorial

Chip dreams meet self-reliance reality

With the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission securing the Union cabinet’s clearance, the country is set for a global race with fresh impetus. The government envisions the mission, planned at a total budget outlay of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, to attract investment of around Rs 4 lakh crore, leading to production worth Rs 2 lakh crore. The cabinet has also approved a Rs 62,500-crore mobile phone manufacturing scheme, which is expected to complement Semicon 2.0. Targeted measures will drive the semiconductor mission across broad domains such as chip design, fabrication plants, research and development (R&D), intellectual property ownership, and talent development. The mission is well-timed, as India can no longer defer a strong presence in the field of semiconductors – a critical foundational technology with applications in diverse industries. Self-reliance has become imperative following events in recent years, particularly the supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic years that exposed the country’s vulnerabilities. Geopolitical conflicts such as the ongoing war in West Asia serve as a reminder of the persistent threat of larger disruptions. Over-dependence on a small group of nations – the United States, Japan, China, and South Korea – presents a critical constraint. A supply bottleneck originating from these countries due to political, economic or unforeseen events can have a debilitating effect on multiple domestic industries in India. A nation of India’s scale cannot be dependent on other countries in sectors vital to the economy and national security. India has a marginal footprint on the global semiconductor map. In 2024-25, its domestic market was estimated at $50 billion. The global market is projected to reach $1 trillion this year. This gap makes a case for India to urgently augment its capabilities. Developing a semiconductor ecosystem is extremely demanding, requiring massive and steady investment. This also needs to be complemented with technology upgrades and intellectual expertise. A large section of top-class Indian professionals in the field is based outside the country. This is where a targeted, comprehensive strategy to groom and retain domestic talent becomes crucial. Policy must also be directed towards shaping vibrant R&D spaces. This can be a structural shift that elevates the semiconductor sector and benefits the broader landscape of science and technology. At an operational level, the industry will require extensive infrastructure; this includes uninterrupted power supply and logistics at the highest levels of efficiency. Navigating these challenges on the technology and skill sides and reimagining innovation frameworks to meet global standards will determine the outcomes of India’s ambitious semiconductor mission. (Source: DH)