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ITANAGAR, AUG 29: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Saturday said frontier communities and security forces in strategically important areas must be accorded the highest priority, as it called for stronger infrastructure and adequate logistical support for troops in border areas. APCC president Bosiram Siram made the remarks after completing a four-day visit to the Taksing sector of Upper Subansiri, where he and other party leaders along with panchayat representatives interacted with local residents and security personnel. “Those who speak about the frontier must also have the courage to reach the frontier, meet the people and understand the realities on the ground. Taksing is not a distant corner of India, it is the frontline of India,” Siram said in a statement. Siram also urged the Centre to facilitate a joint all-party parliamentary delegation to visit Taksing and other strategically important frontier areas. He said such visits would strengthen democratic oversight and allow elected representatives to directly assess the ground situation, interact with frontier communities, security personnel and local authorities. The APCC chief also called for uninterrupted supplies, equipment, communication facilities, accommodation, medical support and adequate manpower for troops deployed in difficult frontier areas. Siram also advocated for creation of an ‘Arunachal Regiment’, with substantial recruitment of indigenous tribal youth of the state. “The people of Taksing are not living at the periphery of India. They are living at the frontline of India. If the nation expects them to stand firm on the frontier, it must stand firmly behind them,” he added. (Source: PTI)  

DEOMALI, AUG 29: The Nocte community on Saturday took a significant step towards preserving and strengthening its linguistic heritage with the adoption of a proposed Nocte script at a General Body Meeting organised by the Nocte Script Development Committee in collaboration with Wangcha Rajkumar Government College (WRGC), Deomali. Representatives of various Nocte-speaking groups, including Hahwakhun, Ollo, Khappa, Tang and Phungsung, participated in the meeting and offered suggestions to make the script more inclusive, while keeping scope for further amendments and refinement. The meeting was chaired by Arunachal Pradesh Environment and Forests Minister Wangki Lowang. The central highlight was the presentation of the proposed Nocte script by Dr Wanglit Mongchan. Representatives of different Nocte dialect groups discussed the script and future strategies and endorsed the proposed script as presented by Mongchan. Addressing the gathering, Lowang appreciated Mongchan and members of the Nocte Script Development Committee for their contribution towards preserving and developing the linguistic heritage of the community. He termed the initiative a landmark achievement that would benefit future generations. The minister also called for the development of a Nocte multidialectal dictionary to facilitate wider understanding and communication among different Nocte-speaking groups. He stressed the need for greater linguistic and cultural assimilation and urged the community to rise above minor differences and work collectively for the preservation and development of its identity. The programme also featured cultural performances by students of Government Higher Secondary School, Deomali, and WRGC. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by WRGC Principal Dr Watsen Bangsia. The adoption of the script marks an important milestone in efforts to preserve the linguistic identity of the Nocte community and pass it on to future generations.    

Tourism collaboration can open new window of opportunity: Sona ITANAGAR, AUG 29: The six-day Kiyak Laam Kraam: Our Journey – Tourism and Culture Experience Tour concluded here on Saturday with a valedictory ceremony at the State Banquet Hall, bringing together around 100 tourism stakeholders, tour operators and homestay owners from the eight northeastern states. The participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura visited 11 destinations across Arunachal Pradesh during the tour. The programme provided a platform for participants to share experiences and explore opportunities for greater collaboration in tourism, hospitality and cultural exchange across the Northeast. Arunachal Pradesh Tourism and Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, who was the chief guest, described the initiative as a unique collaboration between the university and tourism stakeholders that had opened a “new window of opportunity” for interaction and mutual understanding among the people of the Northeast. Emphasising the importance of recognising shortcomings and working towards improvement, Sona said, “Your strength is identifying your weakness, and growing from.” He expressed hope that such initiatives would help make the Northeast one of India’s leading tourist destinations. Stressing the need to preserve the region’s natural beauty, he called for sustainable and responsible tourism development as well as stronger collaboration among the northeastern states and tourism stakeholders to dispel misconceptions and showcase the region’s cultural heritage, natural beauty and tourism potential. Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) Jayadeba Sahoo, who chaired the programme, said tourism was not merely about travelling to destinations but also about experiencing and understanding different cultures. He called for collective efforts to strengthen tourism in the region and highlighted the spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava”. He also underlined tourism’s impact on local communities and the need to remain open to both its opportunities and challenges. In his opening remarks, RGU Registrar NT Rikam expressed hope that the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) initiative of the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), under which the programme was organised, would continue its engagement with the university and create greater opportunities for all stakeholders. Rikam explained that Kiyak Laam Kraam, meaning “Our Journey” in Meyor, an endangered language of Arunachal Pradesh, reflected the spirit of the initiative. He stressed that tourism and hospitality were complementary and emphasised the importance of promoting greater tourism and cultural exchange among the northeastern states. The genesis of “Our Journey” was explained by event director, cultural activist and RGU the Northeast is often viewed as a single region, interaction and awareness among its people remain limited. “Just like there is a need for international and domestic tourists to visit our region, there is also a felt need for regional tourism where we visit each other and share experiences,” Riba said, describing the initiative as a step in that direction. A key highlight of the programme was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Industries, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the North East India Tourism Confederation (NEITC). The agreement seeks to facilitate greater collaboration and synergised initiatives in tourism and related activities. The programme also featured an interaction with delegates from the eight participating states. The session began with feedback from NEITC president Tsering Wange, followed by representatives from the participating states, who shared their experiences of travelling across Arunachal Pradesh and discussed its destinations, cultural heritage, hospitality, homestay practices and community-based tourism. The discussions covered tourism infrastructure, homestay development, cultural tourism, connectivity and accessibility, tourist expectations, digital promotion, sustainable tourism, inter-state cooperation, capacity building and community participation. A short film showcasing highlights of the tour was screened during the ceremony. The programme also featured The Arunachal Story, a fusion presentation of priestly chants, folk melodies and traditional dance forms, besides a performance by students of the Department of Fine Arts and Music, RGU, showcasing the state’s rich cultural traditions. The programme concluded with closing remarks by Industries Joint Director and RAMP Nodal Officer Goli Angu, followed by a group photograph and high tea. The initiative was curated by the Department of Mass Communication, RGU, and the Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation (CCRD), with support from the Department of Industries, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, under the RAMP initiative of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India. Tourism stakeholders, delegates, students and faculty members of the university and invited guests attended the programme.    

Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT, AUG 29: A newly constructed Type-II residential quarter and two additional classrooms at Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Upper Primary School, Pasighat, were inaugurated by Pasighat East MLA Tapi Darang on Saturday. The programme was attended by Pasighat Chief Councillor Tagom Padung, Ward 5 Councillor Rahul Tamuk, Ward 2 Councillor Mem Tamut and Ward 3 Councillor Oyon Pabin, besides the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school. Speaking on the occasion, Darang called for collective efforts to restore the school’s earlier reputation, recalling its strong standing in the past and expressing concern over its comparatively low student enrolment at present. He stressed that efforts to increase enrolment must go hand in hand with quality teaching, discipline and improved academic outcomes. He said parents would be more inclined to opt for government schools when teachers provide sincere, dedicated and quality education. The MLA also emphasised the need for rational and need-based development of government schools. Referring to discussions with the Pasighat Deputy Commissioner, he said infrastructure and facilities should be planned according to student strength and the specific requirements of individual institutions. “Where there are more students, adequate facilities should be provided according to their requirements,” Darang said, adding that schools with low enrolment require focused efforts to improve their academic environment and attract more students. He also stressed the need for effective utilisation of teaching resources, observing that some government schools have a relatively high teacher-student ratio. Darang appreciated the staff of Lal Bahadur Shastri School for maintaining discipline, punctuality and uniformity. He particularly noted the practice of teachers attending school in uniform, describing it as a positive example of discipline and commitment. The newly inaugurated facilities are expected to improve staff accommodation and provide additional classroom space. Darang expressed hope that coordinated efforts by teachers, parents, the community and the administration would help the school regain its earlier reputation, increase enrolment and emerge as a stronger centre of quality education in Pasighat.  

TAWANG, AUG 29: More than 350 volunteers participated in a mass cleanliness drive organised by the Monpa Mimang Tsogpa (MMT) in collaboration with the Tawang district administration and the Indian Army on Friday, with the objective of keeping the town and its tourist destinations clean, hygienic and plastic-free. The cleanliness campaign covered an extensive stretch from Griptsang Tso beyond Nagula Pass to the Giant Buddha Statue above the Circuit House in Tawang. Members of all four Market Welfare Committees of Tawang, Tawang Police, students, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Department (PWD), Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Rural Works Department (RWD), DC Office and other volunteers took part in the drive. Tawang Police Station Officer-in-Charge Inspector Niyi Angu led the police contingent. Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, Zilla Parishad Member Kyidphel Tenzin Monpa, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rinchin Leta, Assistant Commissioners Tenzin Jambey and Nawang Thutan, MMT Vice-President Pema Chowang, Secretary Sange Phuntsok Nguimo, Social Service Secretary Tsering Dhondup and members of WWA Tawang also participated in the campaign and encouraged the volunteers. The drive resulted in the collection of approximately five truckloads of garbage, which were transported to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Tawang for proper handling and disposal. During the campaign, Tawang DC Namgyal Angmo interacted with Army and BRO officers at various locations and stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in and around their establishments and areas of operation. She urged them to organise weekly cleanliness drives to prevent waste accumulation. The DC also requested the MMT to continue the campaign on Saturday to clear the remaining garbage from tourist locations and along the route. The initiative reflected the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, bringing together the civil administration, Army, police, government departments, community organisations, students and citizens for a common cause. With tourist footfall in Tawang increasing, the campaign underscored the need for collective efforts to preserve the cleanliness and natural beauty of the region. Residents and visitors were also urged to avoid single-use plastics, refrain from littering and dispose of waste responsibly. (DIPR)

DOIMUKH, AUG 29: The Red Ribbon Club and National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit of Government College Doimukh, in association with the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), organised the Red Run Mini Marathon 2026 on Saturday to promote awareness about HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. Held under the aegis of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the 5-km race was organised on the theme “Youth for HIV and STI”. The event aimed to engage college students and members of Red Ribbon Clubs in disseminating information on HIV/AIDS, STIs, adolescent health and mental health through a competitive platform. Red Ribbon Club Coordinator Dr Eva Dupak highlighted the importance of educating, testing and empowering young people to prevent HIV and STIs. She spoke about HIV and STI transmission, signs and symptoms, treatment and prevention, and stressed the role of youth in disseminating accurate information, dispelling misconceptions and promoting a more informed and compassionate attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Dr Dupak also highlighted the issue of social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and drew attention to the prevalence of HIV in Arunachal Pradesh, with Papum Pare district recording the highest number of positive cases. The race was flagged off by NSS Programme Officer Dr Dakli Lombi and witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members. Tadar Kaya, a BA first-semester student of the Department of History, won the men’s category, while Sita Gama of BA fifth semester, Department of Geography, emerged winner in the women’s category. Both winners were awarded certificates and cash prizes and will represent the college at the state-level competition.