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ITANAGAR, OCT 13: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday announced a slate of new initiatives to deepen the State’s startup and investment ecosystem, including an Arunachal Creative Economy (ACE) programme from the Chief Minister’s Office and an expert think tank, the Institute for Transforming Arunachal (ITA), which he described as a “mini NITI Aayog” for the State. Khandu was speaking at a programme marking the graduation of Cohort 4 and the commencement of Cohort 5 of the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Program (APEDP), the inauguration of satellite incubation cells in seven higher education institutions, and the signing of MoUs with five more. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, the Chief Secretary, Planning and Investment Commissioner, Arunachal Pradesh Innovation & Investment Park (APIIP) CEO and officers, a representative of NITI Aayog, senior officials and young entrepreneurs attended the event. The ACE programme, Khandu said, will give young people with creative ideas a platform to turn them into economic enterprises. The ITA will bring subject experts together to guide policy in sectors such as agriculture and allied activities and tourism. He also said he is in touch with venture capitalists and will convene a conference at which existing Arunachal startups can present their ideas to potential investors. The Chief Minister directed the Planning and Investment Department and the APEDP cell to consult the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on State incentives, including possible income tax-related support, for graduating startups that move from proprietorships to private limited companies or LLPs. A policy decision is expected in the coming days. He further asked the Chief Secretary to organize workshops with experts for all APEDP alumni on reaching national and global markets through digital platforms, and directed the APIIP CEO to expedite its conversion into a Section 8 company, a move he approved after announcing it at last year’s programme. Started in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, APEDP has helped launch more than 150 startups, the Chief Minister said. Arunachal Pradesh was among the top three States in the National Startup Ranking Framework on the occasion of 10 years of Startup India, and the only Northeast State to be so recognized, he noted. Intake under the programme has been doubled from 50 to 100 startups, and seed money has been raised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. The roughly 100 Cohort 5 entrepreneurs will undergo a nine-month incubation at the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP), with mentorship from reputed institutions including IIM. Khandu cited alumni successes like the Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments, whose 3D-printed replicas of traditional animal headgear were featured in the Prime Minister’s 113thMann Ki Baatand earned a Rs 10 lakh grant under the AIC-SMUTBI Digi Sapne Program; KT Marketing of Ziro, winner of the Bharat Entrepreneur Award 2025; Popil Tunes, selected for the STPI Octane Program 2025 under MeitY; House of Macnok of Pasighat, chosen for a Global Entrepreneurship Consulting Project with the University of Oklahoma, USA; CK Bliss Health & Rhythm, recipient of the Governor’s Appreciation Letter; and Mete Foods and Slot Allot, named in the NEC’s top 50 incubation list. Satellite incubation cells were inaugurated virtually at the seven institutions that signed MoUs last year: Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh University (Pasighat), Arunachal University of Studies (Namsai), NIT Jote, NEDIS Nirjuli, Dera Natung Government College (Itanagar) and Dorjee Khandu Government College (Tawang). New MoUs were signed with five more institutions. These are Donyi Polo Government College, Kamki; Government College, Bomdila; Indira Gandhi Government College, Tezu; Government Model College, Seppa; and St. Claret College, Ziro. The Chief Minister also launched the YES (Youth Empowerment Sphere) Arunachal portal, a single window on APIIP for Central and State schemes, and urged youth to take part in the National Innovation Challenge under Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan. He thanked NITI Aayog for establishing Atal Tinkering Labs in the State’s schools. He encouraged entrepreneurs to explore the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, noting that banking networks can help with capital and, where required, land. MSMEs, he said, contribute around 31 per cent of India’s GDP and 45 per cent of its exports. He also highlighted the Central Government’s UNNATI scheme for the Northeast and the State’s Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana, Chief Minister Paryatan Vikas Yojana and Atmanirbhar scheme for agriculture, horticulture and fisheries. On the State’s economic prospects, the Chief Minister said hydropower projects totalling 19,000 MW are at various stages of work, and that five mineral blocks, including graphite and vanadium, have been auctioned in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Coal and Mines. With more blocks to follow and rare earth deposits to be explored, he said Arunachal could shift from a deficit to a surplus budget, freeing more resources for public welfare. Under the Rising North East Investment Summit, five investments worth Rs 809 crore have been grounded, with promised investments of Rs 7,941 crore under pursuit. He appealed to local communities to support investors and make Arunachal an investor-friendly destination. He credited women-led development and the self-help group movement, which now involves around 1.5 lakh active women, for the State’s progress, and called for a strong rural economy as the basis of a Viksit Arunachal by 2047. Khandu urged the young entrepreneurs to keep learning about government policy, company law, the Arunachal Pradesh State Industrial and Investment Policy and the new labour laws. Calling bookkeeping a weak area among local entrepreneurs, he advised every business to engage a chartered accountant, maintain annual balance sheets and file income tax returns even where tax liability is nil. He also urged entrepreneurs to build on the State’s 20 Geographical Indication (GI) tags through value addition and digital marketing. Congratulating Cohort 4 graduates and wishing Cohort 5 well, the Chief Minister assured them that his doors remain open. Acknowledging the work of the Deputy Chief Minister, the Commissioner, CEO Tabe Haider and the APIIP team, he said the State’s efforts are aligned with the vision of ‘Sabka

ITANAGAR, OCT 13: Governor K T Parnaik on Tuesday called for expanding the National Cadet Corps (NCC) network across remote and border areas of the state to empower rural and tribal youth through leadership and character-building programmes. The governor made the remarks during a meeting with Brig Mayank Vaid, Group Commander of NCC Headquarters, Tezpur, who called on him at Lok Bhavan here, an official statement said. Commending the NCC HQs for its outreach in the state, Parnaik lauded the dedication and active participation of Arunachal cadets in national events such as the Republic Day parade and the Prime Minister’s rally. He emphasised that the organisation must continue to instil core values including discipline, patriotism, unity, and a spirit of public service among young people. Stressing the need for broader inclusivity, the governor urged the NCC to establish more units in schools and colleges situated in far-flung regions. Such an expansion, he said, would provide rural and tribal youth with essential opportunities for personal growth, confidence building, and leadership development. To make the programmes more dynamic, the governor advocated for an increased focus on adventure activities, trekking, mountaineering, disaster management, environmental conservation, and national integration initiatives in coordination with the Indian Army and security forces. Parnaik further underscored the necessity of upgrading training infrastructure, deploying qualified instructors, providing adequate equipment, and organising regular camps. Integrating robust physical fitness routines, personality development modules, and structured career guidance into NCC curricula would effectively prepare cadets for careers in the Armed Forces, Agniveer opportunities, and other public services, he added. (Source: PTI)    

JORAM, OCT 13: The first-ever Keyi Panyor Bird Count was organised at Joram Putung in Joram village by the Keyi Panyor Tourism Society in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club, Bird Count India and the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), recording 38 bird species during a two-hour exercise. The initiative aimed to promote bird conservation, raise awareness about local biodiversity and explore birdwatching as a sustainable ecotourism opportunity in the district. The programme saw participation from Keyi Panyor Zilla Parishad Chairperson Nabam Piju, Trade Development Officer Tai Arun, Range Forest Officer Bunty Tao, Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club founder-president Koj Mama, Ngunu Ziro secretary Punyo Chada and Keyi Panyor Tourism Society event coordinator-cum-joint secretary Joram Aatum. Resource persons from NCF included Mittal Gala, Samakshi Tiwari, Nizar Muhammed, Prerana Chandak and Leons Mathew Abraham. Students and nature enthusiasts from Government Secondary School, Joram, VKV School, Joram, and Neelam Taram Government College, Yachuli, also participated, along with panchayat members and volunteers from Hugung Trek. The bird-counting exercise recorded 38 species in and around Joram village, including the Indian White-eye, Grey Bushchat, Dark-sided Flycatcher, White-throated Fantail, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Large-billed Crow and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, highlighting the area’s avian diversity. Later, NCF resource person Mittal Gala delivered a presentation at Government Secondary School, Joram, covering India’s bird diversity, distinctive bird characteristics, endangered species, bird-counting techniques and the ecological importance of birds. The interactive session familiarised participants and community members with the need to protect bird habitats and conserve biodiversity. Certificates were distributed to participants and resource persons by the Keyi Panyor Tourism Society in recognition of their contributions. Addressing the gathering, Koj Mama said the Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club was established in 2012 to promote birdwatching and conservation in the state. He highlighted the potential for local youth to work as trained birding guides and for homestays and other ecotourism activities to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities while supporting environmental conservation. Punyo Chada shared the experience of organising the first Ziro Butterfly Meet in 2018, which has since continued as an annual event. Drawing on that experience, he suggested that Keyi Panyor district consider organising a dedicated Bird and Butterfly Meet to showcase its biodiversity, attract nature enthusiasts and strengthen its ecotourism potential. Nabam Piju appreciated the organisers and resource persons for bringing participants closer to nature. Observing that the exercise had revealed numerous bird species, she said the experience challenged her earlier impression that birds were disappearing from the area. She urged people to refrain from killing birds and consuming their meat and expressed hope that the next edition would record twice as many species. The inaugural bird count marked a step towards strengthening community participation in biodiversity conservation and exploring nature-based tourism in Keyi Panyor district. It also underscored the potential for involving students and local youth in documenting and protecting the region’s natural heritage.  

Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT, OCT 13: Executive members of the Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang (BBYK) submitted a five-point memorandum to the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Folk Medicine Research (NEIAFMR), Pasighat, on Tuesday, seeking changes to recruitment procedures, appointments and employment policies at the institute. The memorandum, dated October 13 and addressed to the Director In-charge through the Principal In-charge, was submitted by a delegation comprising Dangki Ering, Spokesperson-cum-Chairman of the Issue; Tetem Ering, Secretary, Information, Publicity and Relations (IPR); Ojong Rome, Chief Auditor; and Kadum Tamuk, Deputy Speaker of BBYK. BBYK urged the institute to conduct all future recruitment interviews for Group A, B and C posts at Pasighat and send interview notifications to the Arunachal Pradesh State Employment Exchange for wider publicity. It also sought the appointment of a permanent director and a permanent administrative-grade officer from among eligible local candidates. The organisation demanded cancellation of the recent appointment orders of the zoologist and Vice-Principal In-charge, alleging nepotism and claiming that local candidates’ capabilities had been overlooked. Other demands included a clear policy to protect the employment terms and tenure of local staff until they attain 60 years of age, and a plan for the permanent absorption of eligible local contractual employees into Group C posts. According to BBYK, it had earlier submitted a representation, reference number BBYK 03/17-02-2026, seeking 80 per cent reservation in Group A posts and 100 per cent reservation in Group B and C posts for the people of Bogong Banggo, citing the community’s role as the land donor for the institute. The organisation alleged that no action had been taken on its earlier demands. Describing the latest memorandum as its final representation, BBYK gave the institute 10 days to address its demands and warned of democratic agitation and an indefinite lockdown if no action was taken within the stipulated period. Copies of the memorandum were forwarded to the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, the Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH, the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, both Members of Parliament representing the state’s eastern and western constituencies, and the MLA representing the 38th Pasighat East (ST) Assembly Constituency.  

SOHA, OCT 13: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Wangki Lowang inspected ongoing and upcoming development projects across Soha Circle on Tuesday to review their implementation and ensure quality execution. The minister was accompanied by Deomali Additional Deputy Commissioner Tana Bapu, Soha Block Zilla Parishad Member Wanglem Thingnok, Soha Circle Officer Toko Kacha, officials from the Rural Works Department (RWD) and Public Works Department (PWD), the Deomali Range Forest Office and panchayat representatives. The team visited project sites in Doidam, Soha, Barak, Dongrong and Kenon villages, including the Soha township road and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road connecting Barak and Dongrong. The minister also visited educational institutions in the circle, including Government Primary School, Old Doidam; Government Secondary School, Soha; and PM SHRI Government Upper Primary School, Kenon. The visit aimed to assess the progress of development works, ensure adherence to quality standards and promote effective implementation of projects for the benefit of residents of Soha Circle.