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RONO HILLS, AUG 27: The Department of Commerce at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organised an Orientation-cum-Induction Programme here on Thursday for newly admitted students of the first semester of M.Com, PGDBI and Ph.D. programmes. The programme aimed to familiarise students with the university and departmental academic framework, institutional policies, support systems and opportunities for their overall development. Welcoming the new students, Head of the Department Prof RC Parida introduced the faculty members and outlined the vision and objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its implementation at the university. He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development. Faculty members conducted sessions covering various aspects of academic and campus life. Prof Tasi Kaye briefed students on discipline, examination protocols, sessional tests, attendance requirements and grievance redressal mechanisms. Dean Faculty of Commerce and Management Prof SK Jena explained the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), APAAR, multiple entry and exit provisions and the National Credit Framework (NCrF). He also encouraged students to remain attentive to their physical and mental well-being and highlighted the importance of awareness regarding suicide prevention and de-addiction. Dr Philip Modi highlighted learning opportunities, student support systems and extracurricular activities, encouraging students to participate in university clubs and events. Dr Devi Baruah focused on skill enhancement, internships and experiential learning, besides various skill-development and personality-development programmes offered by the university. Dr Atege Linggi briefed students on campus support systems and the university’s anti-ragging policy, stressing mutual respect and consideration. Dr Sunil Nandi highlighted the university’s A-grade National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation and encouraged students to maintain good academic performance. He also briefed them on NET/SLET examinations and student feedback mechanisms. Dr Olympia Kurmi addressed issues relating to safety, dignity and welfare, including prevention of sexual harassment and the role of the Internal Complaints Cell (ICC). She also briefed students on the Placement Cell, campus hygiene and hostel facilities, including regular and HEFA hostels and applicable re-allotment rules. Concluding the sessions, Dr VK Yadav stressed the importance of hard work and resilience and provided guidance on competitive examinations including UPSC, Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) and UGC-NET. He also highlighted the Mentor-Mentee scheme and introduced the students to the departmental office staff. The programme provided the newly admitted students with an overview of the academic framework, NEP 2020 provisions and support mechanisms available at the university, setting a positive and purposeful tone for the new academic session.

NAMSAI, AUG 27: The week-long Library Awareness Programme organised by the District Library, Namsai concluded at Government Model College Piyong on Thursday, with 1,502 students participating in the initiative aimed at promoting reading habits among young learners. As part of the programme, awareness sessions were conducted at Arunachal University of Studies, Mahabodhi Lord Buddha College, CP Namchoom Government Polytechnic College, Government Model College Piyong, Government Nursing School, Government Higher Secondary School, Government Secondary School, Zenith Child School, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya and Kendriya Vidyalaya Namsai. Officers, teachers and representatives from educational institutions and government departments participated as resource persons alongside district library staff and volunteers. The sessions highlighted the importance of reading and familiarised students with the facilities, services and educational benefits available at the district library. A total of 165 students enrolled for library membership during the programme. The district library expressed gratitude to the participating institutions, resource persons, officers, teachers and students for their cooperation and support in making the awareness drive successful.    

TAWANG, AUG 27: ICAR–Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (ICAR-VPKAS), Almora, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tawang, organised a series of finger millet field days, farmer–scientist interactions, frontline demonstrations and demonstrations of the Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler at different villages of Tawang district from August 17 to 26 under the ICAR-VPKAS North-Eastern Hill (NEH) Programme. The programme was aimed at strengthening the dissemination of improved finger millet production technologies and promoting their wider adoption among farmers. Scientists and KVK personnel interacted extensively with farmers on improved cultivation practices, varietal performance, seed production and exchange, crop management, harvesting and post-harvest management. The interactions also provided a platform for farmers to share their experiences, cultivation challenges and preferences. Particular attention was given to the performance of VL Mandua 376, which farmers found promising in comparison with their traditional local cultivars. The programme commenced on August 17 at Kyidphel, where a Farmer–Scientist Interaction was held with 23 farmers. On August 18, a Finger Millet Field Day was organised at Baghar village under Lungla Block, with the participation of 39 farmers. This was followed by a demonstration of the Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler at Phomang, attended by 30 farmers. On August 19, activities were taken to the Zemithang–Dudunghar Block, where a Farmer–Scientist Interaction along with a demonstration of the Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler was organised at Namtsering, involving 34 farmers. Field Days and Farmer–Scientist Interactions were subsequently held at Dongmareng, with 20 farmers, and Bletteng, with 48 farmers. On August 20, a Field Day was organised at Gongkhar, Mukto–Bongkhar, with 16 farmers, while a Farmer–Scientist Interaction at Gyamdong witnessed the participation of 50 farmers. The outreach continued through a series of Farmer–Scientist Interactions at Grengkhar on 21 August with 12 farmers; Khyed on 22 August with 9 farmers; Bomja on 23 August with 16 farmers; Bongleng on 24 August with 20 farmers; and Sherbang, Lungla, on 25 August with 23 farmers. On August 26, a Farmer–Scientist Interaction was organised at Ruikhar, Kyidphel, with 12 farmers, while a Frontline Demonstration on finger millet was conducted at Shernub village. Across the different locations, VL Mandua 376 demonstrated encouraging performance under farmers’ field conditions, exhibiting good crop growth, effective tillering, well-filled panicles and bold grains. One of its major advantages is its shorter crop duration, with the variety maturing approximately 25–35 days earlier than local cultivars while providing higher grain yield. The early-maturing characteristic is particularly beneficial to farmers in Tawang, as it reduces the period during which standing crops need to be guarded against wild animals, thereby helping save considerable time and labour. The Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler also generated keen interest among participating farmers. Its potential to reduce the labour and drudgery traditionally associated with millet threshing and processing was highlighted during the field demonstrations. The field-level interactions enabled farmers to directly observe the performance of improved technologies and discuss their experiences with agricultural scientists. At the same time, the programme helped scientists gain valuable insights into farmers’ production constraints, local cultivation practices and technology requirements. The series of activities forms part of the continuing efforts of ICAR-VPKAS, Almora and KVK Tawang to strengthen technology dissemination, enhance millet productivity and encourage the wider adoption and horizontal spread of improved finger millet varieties and technologies in the North-Eastern Hill region. (DIPR)        

ITANAGAR, AUG 26: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has welcomed the Department of Administrative Reforms and Training’s notification introducing uniform eligibility criteria for direct recruitment to posts and services under the Arunachal Pradesh government, while urging all recruiting agencies to ensure its strict and immediate implementation. AAPSU specifically called upon the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) to adhere to the notified criteria in all future recruitment examinations. The union warned that any attempt to dilute, bypass or selectively apply the norms would invite its own course of action. Issued on August 26 under the signature of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta and approved by the Governor, the notification follows the State Cabinet’s decision of August 13. According to AAPSU, the move addresses its long-standing demand for mandatory Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) and Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) certification in government recruitment. Under the new criteria, candidates seeking direct recruitment to posts under the State Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies and Local/Urban Bodies must possess a valid PRC of Arunachal Pradesh, an APST Certificate as an original inhabitant of the State, and working knowledge of an indigenous tribal language of Arunachal Pradesh notified under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. The notification also provides for a mandatory language test after joining service until a formal written Language Proficiency Test is incorporated into competitive examinations. The test is to be conducted within the three-year probation period. Candidates failing to clear it will have their annual increments and further promotions withheld until they qualify. The APPSC and APSSB have been directed to incorporate the eligibility conditions and post-joining language test mechanism into future recruitment advertisements and rules. The provisions apply with immediate effect to Group A, B and C posts and services. AAPSU President Meje Taku described the notification as a long-awaited achievement for the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh and thanked the government for responding to the union’s sustained demand. “This is a demand AAPSU has pursued relentlessly, and today it has been translated into a formal government order. We thank the government for hearing our voice and acting on it. But a notification on paper means nothing unless it is enforced on the ground, in every recruitment exercise, without exception,” Taku said. He urged the APPSC, APSSB and all other recruiting authorities to implement the provisions in their true letter and spirit. AAPSU further urged government departments, PSUs, Autonomous Bodies and Local/Urban Bodies to comply with the criteria in all recruitment exercises, including examinations currently in the pipeline. Taku warned that the union would not allow the safeguards to be diluted through bureaucratic delay or selective implementation. “If any agency fails to comply, AAPSU will not hesitate to act,” he said.