Author name: OnlineAge

ITANAGAR :  Horticulture minister Gabriel D Wangsu on Sunday asked the state horticulture department to adopt a market-oriented approach to ensure farmers receive better returns from scientific interventions. Chairing the department’s Chintan Baithak – Review Meeting 2026 here, Wangsu said crop promotion should be based on ground realities and stressed that the department must move beyond research and cultivation to strengthen market linkages. “It should be lab to land to market — not merely lab to land,” the minister said, underscoring that scientific advances must ultimately translate into higher incomes for farmers. He directed officials to prioritise marketing and farmer profitability while implementing horticulture schemes and urged them to embrace emerging technologies and innovative practices to meet changing sectoral needs. Stating that the department’s success would be judged by improvements in farmers’ livelihoods and productivity, Wangsu said tangible outcomes in the field would help secure greater priority for the horticulture sector within the government. Advisor to the minister Talem Taboh appreciated the work of district horticulture officers and advocated providing dedicated vehicles for field officials. He also called for consultation with local representatives during beneficiary selection and sought timely promotions for officers. Horticulture secretary Koj Rinya outlined the roadmap for the sector, stressing the need to strengthen research and development and build robust value chains for major horticultural crops. She also proposed the constitution of a committee to monitor on-ground implementation of government schemes. The meeting was attended by horticulture director Tobom Bam, officials from the state horticulture research and development institute, district officers and representatives from Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Kurung Kumey and Dibang Valley. Concluding the meeting, Wangsu expressed hope that the review of achievements, challenges and success stories would inspire district officers to work with renewed commitment for the holistic development of the horticulture sector in the state.    

NAHARLAGUN : Governor K T Parnaik on Sunday announced coaching and mentoring support for Sainik School aspirants through Indian Army units in the state. The announcement came during his visit to Abotani Vidya Niketan at Pachin Colony here, where he celebrated his birthday with students, teachers and staff of the institution, which is managed by the Arunachal Shiksha Vikas Samiti under the aegis of Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan. Addressing the students, the governor stressed the importance of education, discipline and continuous learning. He said true success is built not only on academic excellence but also on good character, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility, urging the students to contribute positively to society through compassion and service. Emphasising holistic development, Parnaik encouraged the students to remain “mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight”. He urged them to respect their parents, teachers and cultural heritage while remaining open to innovation and new ideas. The governor also distributed sports equipment to the students and highlighted the importance of maintaining good health, leading a disciplined lifestyle and staying away from harmful habits. Impressed by the discipline and enthusiasm of the students, Parnaik also announced the establishment of an Advanced Learning Centre and the provision of books to strengthen the school’s library. The programme featured cultural performances showcasing Arunachal Pradesh’s rich heritage and a yoga demonstration by the students. The governor also joined a plantation drive on the school campus and urged the students to become ambassadors of environmental conservation and sustainable living.      

ITANAGAR : Governor K T Parnaik on Sunday urged National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers to become proud ambassadors of the Northeast and play an active role in promoting the region’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and developmental progress. Addressing the valedictory function of the five-day North East National Service Scheme (NSS) Festival at Arunodaya University in Jollang near here, the governor said the youth of the region are the torchbearers of a vibrant and promising Northeast and would shape its future through their vision, character and commitment to nation-building. Parnaik said the youth must invest in education, skill development and digital literacy to harness emerging opportunities while preserving the region’s cultural heritage and embracing innovation. He also called upon young people to champion sustainable development, foster entrepreneurship and strengthen the spirit of unity and selfless service for the overall progress of the region. “The future of the Northeast is bright, and that future rests in the hands of today’s youth. Dream boldly, act responsibly and work together to build a prosperous, peaceful and developed region that contributes significantly to India’s progress,” he said. Highlighting the Centre’s focus on the region, the governor said the Act East Policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed the Northeast into India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. He said NSS volunteers contribute immensely to nation-building through community service, environmental protection, literacy and rural development, while developing leadership qualities, teamwork and empathy. Parnaik also lauded the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, NSS Regional Directorate, Guwahati, Arunodaya University and the State NSS Cell under the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education for organising the festival, describing it as a celebration of unity, service and cultural harmony that strengthened bonds among youth from all eight northeastern states. The governor felicitated winners of various competitions held during the festival. Nagaland won the folk group dance competition, while Arunachal Pradesh emerged victorious in the quiz competition. Sikkim’s Binu Chhetri secured first place in both the PowerPoint presentation and extempore speech competitions. The NSS team of Sikkim was also adjudged the Best Discipline Team. State NSS Cell officer Dr A K Mishra said 320 NSS volunteers and programme officers from all eight northeastern states participated in the festival, which featured literary events, cultural performances, youth interactions and leadership development activities under the NSS motto, “Not Me, But You.” Chairman of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Dr Pradip Lingfa, Chairman of the Arunachal Pradesh Administrative Reforms Commission Pramod Jain, Arunodaya University Vice-Chancellor Dr N V Sangvikar and senior NSS officials were among those present.    

DOIMUKH :  The National Immunisation Day (NID) 2026 campaign was launched in Papum Pare district on Sunday, with the administration setting a target to vaccinate 4,353 children against polio. The district-level programme was inaugurated at the Community Health Centre (CHC) here by deputy commissioner Lobsang Tsering, who administered oral polio vaccine drops to children. Appealing to parents to ensure that children below the age of five receive the vaccine, the deputy commissioner urged them to visit the nearest polio booth and cooperate with frontline health workers during the house-to-house mopping-up exercise scheduled for June 29 and 30 to identify and vaccinate children who may have been missed. He reiterated the district administration’s commitment to achieving 100 per cent polio coverage and ensuring that no eligible child is left out of the campaign. District Reproductive and Child Health Officer Dr Tomar Kamki said the campaign aims to cover 4,353 eligible children through 213 polio booths and 16 transit points across the district. He said a total of 852 personnel, including health workers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), have been deployed for booth-based immunisation activities. District Medical Officer Dr Rina R Ronya urged health workers to ensure that every child below five years of age is reached and vaccinated during the campaign. Sub-Divisional Officer Nyelam Tan lauded the efforts of frontline health workers and assured full administrative support for the successful implementation of the immunisation drive and other public health programmes. Senior health officials, doctors, nursing officers and health staff attended the launch programme.      

LUNGLA : The Dakpa Pangchin Employees Welfare Association (DEWA) on Sunday felicitated meritorious students from Classes X to XII for the 2025-26 academic session and organised a career counselling programme at Lungla in Tawang district. Lungla MLA Tsering Lhamu attended the event as the chief guest. Deputy Commander of the 190 Mountain Brigade, Colonel M. Upadhyay, and the Commandant of the 67 Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) were among the dignitaries present. Addressing the gathering, the MLA congratulated the toppers and second toppers for their academic achievements and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their goals. She said education forms the foundation of personal growth and nation-building and encouraged students to dream big and contribute meaningfully to society. The dignitaries lauded DEWA for recognising academic excellence and providing a platform to motivate students. They also encouraged the students to explore diverse career opportunities and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in a competitive environment. A major highlight of the programme was the career counselling session, during which students received guidance on higher education, career planning and emerging opportunities in different fields. The interactive session aimed to help students make informed academic and professional choices. The programme concluded with the felicitation of outstanding students for their academic performance. DEWA thanked the dignitaries, students, parents, teachers and members for their support in making the event successful and reaffirmed its commitment to organising similar initiatives to promote academic excellence and nurture the aspirations of young people, the association said.