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DIRANG, OCT 10: In a first for the National Cadet Corps (NCC) North Eastern Region, 30 cadets, comprising 15 boys and 15 girls from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, have embarked on a high-altitude trekking expedition along the historic Bailey’s Trail in western Arunachal Pradesh. The expedition, being conducted from October 5 to 20, is organised by the 2 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion NCC, Tawang, in collaboration with the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, under the aegis of the NCC North Eastern Region Directorate. The expedition was flagged off at NIMAS on October 8 by NCC Group Headquarters (B) Commander Brigadier Mayank Vaid in the presence of NIMAS Director Colonel R. S. Jamwal and Dirang Additional Deputy Commissioner Choiki Dondup. Ahead of the trek, the cadets underwent acclimatisation and specialised training at NIMAS, covering physical conditioning, high-altitude trekking, mountain safety, rock climbing and rappelling. The route passes through Mago, Jithang, Lap, Kammiala Pass, Potak, Changla, Tungri and Chander, with the highest sections reaching over 16,900 feet. Carrying their own rucksacks and essential equipment, the cadets will test their endurance, resilience, teamwork and self-reliance in challenging mountain terrain. The expedition will also offer opportunities to experience the Himalayan landscape, including the Gorichen Massif, alpine meadows, glacial lakes and rich biodiversity, while interacting with the Brokpa community and learning about the region’s cultural heritage. The initiative reflects the NCC’s focus on adventure, youth development, leadership and nation-building, while introducing young cadets to one of the lesser-explored historic trails of the Indian Himalayas. (DIPR)    

ZIRO, OCT 10: The Hapoli Forest Division concluded a four-day celebration of the 72nd Wildlife Week and the inaugural Ziro Bird and Butterfly Festival, bringing together around 630 participants, including students, community members, researchers and district officials, to promote wildlife conservation and biodiversity awareness. The festival was organised under the leadership of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tilling Takar, with support from Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme. Pre-event competitions, organised in collaboration with the Apatani Students’ Union, engaged school students in essay writing, poetry and wildlife painting. The inaugural programme at Saint Claret College witnessed the participation of over 450 people and representatives of 19 local organisations. Activities included exhibitions showcasing local flora and fauna, technical sessions on wildlife laws and reptile safety, cultural performances and mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing demonstrations by local youth groups. On the second day, DC Perme flagged off a trekking expedition from Manipolyang to Pange Camp inside Tale Wildlife Sanctuary. The expedition followed a zero-waste, plastic-free approach. At the camp, experts conducted sessions on moth diversity, birdwatching and butterfly identification, with specialists from Bird Count India, the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the Wildlife Trust of India participating. The third and fourth days featured birdwatching walks, hands-on butterfly identification along the Orchid Trail, research presentations and documentary screenings, offering participants opportunities to learn about local biodiversity and conservation challenges. The festival concluded with a valedictory ceremony at Pange Camp, where certificates and awards were presented to competition winners and participants. DFO Tilling Takar expressed hope that the festival would become a regular feature on the state calendar, while Range Forest Officer Reddy Bei delivered the vote of thanks. The event highlighted the importance of community participation, scientific engagement and cultural awareness in conserving the rich biodiversity of the Ziro Valley. (DIPR)  

ITANAGAR, OCT 10: The Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) celebrated its 47th foundation day today with an outreach programme at Bini Yanga Government Women’s College, Poma, the state’s only women’s college. Held under the theme “Youth – Our Present and Future: The Inclusive Way Forward”, the programme featured essay and debate competitions on issues related to women’s rights which saw enthusiastic participation from the students. APWWS president Jarjum Gamlin Ete spoke about the organisation’s journey and the circumstances that led to the formation of its various branches. She urged students to acquire practical skills alongside their academic pursuits. Emphasising the promotion of traditional weaving, Ete urged the college principal to coordinate with the Industries and Textiles Department to arrange for a trainer to visit the college at least once a week. “If it happens, you will have many weavers even in three years. Make for yourself, your friends, or even make them for selling. It is something there is money in it,” she encouraged. Addressing the perception that APWWS primarily deals with issues of only polygamy, Ete termed it a misconception. She said the organisation had played a significant role in securing reservation for women in the state’s Panchayati Raj institutions. Referring to criticism that women panchayat leaders were inefficient and allowed their husbands to perform their duties, Ete said APWWS was engaging with various political parties to advocate for the selection of capable women candidates genuinely committed to public service. She urged students to remain aware of such issues and learn to distinguish between right and wrong while choosing their leaders. Speaking about the patriarchal mindset prevalent among many men in the state, Ete observed that an increasing number of young women were reluctant to marry because they sought equal partners. “We have encouraged our girls to get educated, given them opportunities to move ahead in life, but our sons have not been sensitised enough. They are still very patriarchal,” she noted. She also highlighted instances of educated women who continued to remain silent about their own rights. APWWS life member and Apatani Women Association (AWAZ) president Dr Subu Taso Kampu shared her life journey, from resisting a forced child marriage to becoming the first woman doctor from the Apatani community. She also recalled that during her association with the Apatani Youth Association, a historic decision was taken to abolish the practice of facial tattooing and the wearing of wooden nose plugs by Apatani women. Urging the students to look beyond economic empowerment, Dr Kampu said, “Money is important only when you are standing on your own. One should be able to utilise your brain.” She stressed the importance of understanding and exercising their rights. Emphasising the need to prioritise health, Dr Kampu also drew attention to mental well-being on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10. “No health without mental health,” she told the students. Former Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) chairperson and APWWS life member Radhilu Chai Techi urged the female faculty members and students to enrol as members of APWWS, saying early association with the organisation would help them better understand issues concerning women. Speaking on the debate topic, “Economic Independence Is Not the Only Tool for Women’s Empowerment”, Techi said financial independence was important but should not be regarded as the sole measure of empowerment. “Economic empowerment is good, but we should not think in such a way that money is the ultimate thing. Money is just one of the sources to be empowered,” she said. Recalling her tenure as APSCW chairperson, Techi said the commission, with the support of APWWS, had drafted the Arunachal Pradesh Marriage and Inheritance Property Bill. However, she said the proposal did not receive adequate support from various groups. She urged students to understand the significance of the issue, adding that strengthening the property rights of women belonging to Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) communities could help address certain challenges associated with polygamy. Techi also called upon APWWS members to rethink strategies for empowering women across the state. “If we have to empower ourselves, our womenfolk and our daughters, then it is very important for us to ask for our rights. Say no to polygamy and say yes to property rights for our daughters and for our women,” she said. She urged the present APWWS leadership to pursue the proposed legislation on property rights for APST women. College principal Dr Aruna Gyati Lod thanked APWWS for choosing the institution as a venue for its foundation day outreach programme. Informing the gathering that she had joined the organisation, she encouraged her female colleagues to do the same. Despite limited resources, she said, the college consistently recorded an annual pass percentage of 90–94 per cent, while its students regularly secured places among the top 10 performers in semester examinations at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU). She also highlighted the achievements of students in games and sports.  

ZIRO, OCT 10: The Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission (APIC), in collaboration with the Lower Subansiri district administration, organised an awareness programme on the Right to Information (RTI) Act at the Saint Claret College auditorium in Ziro as part of the ongoing RTI Celebration Week. The programme brought together students, faculty members and district officials to promote transparency, accountability and informed citizen participation. Circle Officer Hibu Kapi delivered the welcome address, followed by a welcome note from the principal of Saint Claret College, who highlighted the institution’s commitment to fostering civic awareness among students. State Chief Information Commissioner Jarken Gamlin delivered the keynote address, emphasising the importance of the RTI Act in promoting transparency and accountability in governance. He also appreciated the enthusiastic participation of students. State Information Commissioners Vijay Taram, Khopey Thaley and Dani Gambo were also present. Following a presentation on RTI, an interactive session familiarised participants with the practical aspects of filing RTI applications and approaching Public Information Officers (PIOs) to obtain information from public authorities. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and the National Anthem, equipping participants with greater awareness of their rights and the mechanisms available to seek information and promote accountable governance. (DIPR)

PASIGHAT, OCT 10: Contemporary Hindi poetry cannot be confined to a single ideology and should be understood as a form of resistance that challenges dominant cultural practices, said Dr. Arundhati, Assistant Professor at Satyawati College, University of Delhi, during a special lecture at Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) on Thursday. The lecture on contemporary Hindi poetry and feminist discourse was organised by the APU Department of Hindi in collaboration with the Central Hindi Directorate under the Ministry of Education’s Pradhyapak Vyakhyan Mala programme. Tracing the evolution of contemporary poetry from the Renaissance, Dr. Arundhati said poets across generations had enriched the literary landscape by sensitively portraying diverse life experiences, including their smallest manifestations. Focusing on women’s voices in contemporary poetry, she referred to poets Katyayani and Anamika to discuss women’s expression, identity and position in society. She also highlighted the contributions of Adivasi writers and the lived experiences reflected in their works. “Women’s liberation is not limited to women alone but is closely linked to the liberation of society as a whole,” she said, adding that feminism contributes to building a more equal and sensitive society. She observed that contemporary poetry seeks to capture multiple layers of reality while resisting market-driven values. Earlier, programme coordinator Nanang Yirang, Assistant Professor (Guest Faculty), welcomed the speaker and said the lecture would help M.A. Hindi students gain a deeper understanding of their syllabus and explore the subject through expert insights. An interactive session followed, during which research scholars and students engaged with the speaker. Dr. Arundhati encouraged them to create platforms for creative expression and incorporate the cultural sensibilities, experiences and local realities of Arunachal Pradesh into Hindi poetry. Head of the Department Dr. Ing Perme thanked the speaker for explaining curricular themes in a simple and comprehensive manner and expressed the department’s intention to organise more such lectures. The programme concluded with research scholars and postgraduate students presenting their original poems and songs.  

ITANAGAR, OCT 9: A trilogy of coffee table books showcasing Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural heritage, spiritual traditions and biodiversity was launched at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday. Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd.), Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation and Planning, and Minister of State for Culture Rao Inderjit Singh, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok K. Lahiri jointly unveiled the books titled The Sap Runs Perennial, Ladders to Heaven and The Wild Green Kingdom. The trilogy has been authored by military historian, writer, photographer and documentary filmmaker Shiv Kunal Verma, with support from Vallabh Bhansali, trustee of the Global Vipassana Foundation and co-founder and chairman of ENAM Securities, in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government. Speaking at the launch, Parnaik described the publication as more than a collection of photographs, saying it offers a comprehensive portrayal of Arunachal Pradesh as a living civilisation shaped by vibrant cultures, enduring spiritual traditions and rich natural heritage. He said the books document the customs, festivals, crafts and traditional knowledge of the State’s indigenous communities, alongside its monasteries, sacred sites, indigenous faiths and spiritual traditions. They also showcase its forests, rivers, mountains, wildlife, orchids and biodiversity. Terming the trilogy “a window to Arunachal Pradesh and an ambassador for the State”, the Governor said it would introduce national and international audiences to the State’s cultural wealth, ecological treasures and tourism potential. Its circulation among embassies, institutions, libraries and readers worldwide would raise awareness and generate interest among travellers, researchers, photographers, cultural enthusiasts and investors, he added. The Governor emphasised the importance of documenting the heritage of a State home to 23 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes, each with distinct traditions, languages and cultural practices. He said the publication would serve as a lasting record for future generations and encourage young people to value and preserve their heritage. Parnaik also noted that the trilogy portrays a State making progress in connectivity, tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, education and infrastructure while remaining rooted in its cultural and ecological values. He commended Verma for creating a visual and literary archive capturing both the State’s landscapes and the spirit of its people, and appreciated Bhansali’s support in bringing the publication to fruition. Expressing confidence in the trilogy’s lasting impact, the Governor said it would take Arunachal Pradesh’s stories, landscapes and aspirations beyond its borders and inspire future generations to discover and appreciate the State, known as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.