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PASIGHAT, OCT 8: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the 106-acre campus of Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) was not sufficient for its future growth and assured support for expansion and development of the university. Rijiju was addressing the inaugural and prize distribution ceremony of ‘Vande Mataram @150’, organised by the Department of Mass Communication, APU, and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, to mark 150 years of India’s National Song. The Union Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed main gate of APU, participated in tree plantation under the ‘Ek Ped Ek Bharat’ initiative and inaugurated student exhibition stalls, including a photo gallery by the Arunachal Photography Club. Appreciating the construction of the main gate, Rijiju said university infrastructure should be developed with a long-term vision. “Anything that the university does, must be done thinking about the future. The Main Gate of APU reflects seriousness. This is how a university campus should be built—with a vision for the next 100 years,” he said. He stressed the need for adequate space for the university’s expansion and called for a proposal from local legislators and the state government. “A university cannot grow in a congested space. The present 106 acres is not sufficient for Arunachal Pradesh University. We need to expand the campus area. The Centre and state government will do anything to help the growth and development of APU,” he said. Rijiju said APU should have modern teaching and learning facilities and assured that he would extend support to its development. He also described teachers as shapers of society and nation builders and urged students to become changemakers and contribute to the development of the state and country. Speaking on the significance of Vande Mataram, Rijiju said the song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875, played an important role in awakening patriotic sentiment during the freedom movement. He said the celebrations at Pasighat reflected the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and carried special significance from the eastern frontier of the country. On the ongoing discussion over the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), Rijiju said the project would be taken forward with the participation of the people. “We will take the people into confidence. Nothing will be imposed,” he said. Rijiju also assured that he would look into an APU memorandum seeking construction of three hostels for postgraduate and research students, including facilities for tribal and minority students, establishment of a Tribal Heritage Museum, dedicated water supply for the university and a study on publicity outreach among minority communities in Northeast India. The Union Minister released the Book of Abstracts of the national seminar on ‘150 Years of Vande Mataram’, containing 70 papers from India and abroad. The seminar is being conducted in online and offline sessions as part of the celebrations. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ashan Riddi highlighted the historical role of Vande Mataram during the freedom movement and said APU aims to develop as a centre of excellence based on the principles of access, equality, equity, affordability and accountability. The programme also featured a documentary on the month-long prelude activities, a rendition of Vande Mataram by the winners of the singing competition and traditional cultural performances from different parts of Arunachal Pradesh, including Singpho dance from Namsai, Galo wedding and war dance from Basar and Wancho bamboo dance from Longding. Prizes and certificates were distributed to 47 winners of various competitions held as part of the month-long celebrations. Albina Doley and Nabam Toyum won the women’s and men’s marathon categories respectively. Donyi Angun Megu of GHSS Mebo and Geis Doke of NEIAFMR Pasighat topped the junior and senior essay-writing categories, while Nipoli Tayeng of IGJGHSS Pasighat and Omem Minno of JNC Pasighat secured first positions in junior and senior painting and poster-making. In singing, Lily Ayom of GHSS Mebo and Bidyashree Kumari of NEIAFMR Pasighat emerged winners in the junior and senior categories, while Mido Doruk of GSS Mirbuk and Payal Nguri of APU topped the junior and senior poetry-writing categories. The event was attended by State BJP President Kaling Moyong, Pasighat East MLA Tapi Darang, Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering, Nari-Koyu MLA Tojir Kadu, Yingkiong-Tuting MLA Alo Libang, East Siang Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Gaon Burahs, PMC councillors and other public representatives and officials. Faculty members, scholars and students of APU also attended the programme. The three-day celebration, organised by the Department of Mass Communication    

TAWANG, OCT 8: PM SHRI School Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Tawang organised a Kaushal Bodh activity titled ‘From Seed to Sale’, providing students with hands-on experience in agriculture, value addition and entrepreneurship. As part of the activity, students cultivated sweet corn in the Vidyalaya’s kitchen garden, gaining first-hand experience in soil preparation, crop nurturing, plant growth and harvesting. The exercise helped them understand the importance of patience, teamwork, responsibility, care for nature and sustainable agricultural practices. Following the harvest, the students cooked the sweet corn and sold the prepared produce among their fellow students. The activity introduced them to basic concepts of value addition, pricing, customer interaction and entrepreneurship, while demonstrating how an agricultural product can be transformed into a value-added product. The activity was conducted under the guidance of TGT (Art) Pappu Chaudhary, who encouraged students to connect classroom learning with real-life situations through direct participation. Principal M L Meena highlighted the importance of experiential education and said Kaushal Bodh provides students with meaningful opportunities to acquire practical skills through real-world activities. He said the available campus space in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas could be utilised for kitchen gardens, learning farms and other skill-based activities. “When students sow a seed, nurture a plant, harvest the produce and finally prepare and sell it, they learn much more than agriculture. They develop teamwork, responsibility, problem-solving skills, creativity, financial awareness and entrepreneurial thinking. This is the true spirit of ‘Learning by Doing’ and experiential learning,” he said. The initiative demonstrated how a school kitchen garden can serve as a living laboratory for learning, helping students understand food production, nutrition, sustainability and self-reliance. It also encouraged them to appreciate the effort involved in producing food while developing confidence, creativity, responsibility and entrepreneurial thinking. The activity reflected the spirit of Kaushal Bodh by integrating agriculture, skill development, teamwork and entrepreneurship into a practical and meaningful learning experience.    

Manoj Singh ITANAGAR, OCT 8: The Arunachal Pradesh Police on Thursday flagged off the Ekta Diwas Motorcycle Rally from Police Headquarters (PHQ), Itanagar, to participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on October 31. IGP (Administration) Tusar Taba flagged off the rally and said seven police officers had embarked on the motorcycle journey from Itanagar, of whom five would participate in the main rally at Ekta Nagar. Taba said similar rallies were being organised from across the country and would converge at Ekta Nagar for the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations and parade. The initiative, undertaken on the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, seeks to promote national unity, integrity, communal harmony, brotherhood and solidarity. The Arunachal team will be escorted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from Itanagar to Hollongi and by Assam Police from Hollongi to Guwahati. From Guwahati, the riders will proceed to Siliguri, where the Sikkim team will join them. The combined teams will then travel through Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh before reaching Gujarat. During the journey, the riders will visit schools, colleges and other institutions to spread messages of communal harmony, brotherhood, traditional and cultural values of the Northeast and other states, as well as awareness on good health and the fight against drug abuse. Taba also emphasised the importance of observing traffic rules and maintaining road safety throughout the journey. Organised under the theme “Fight Against Drugs,” the rally also seeks to raise awareness about drug abuse and reinforce the vision of “Drug-Free Arunachal, Drug-Free India.”  

JARING, OCT 8: Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo undertook a development tour of Jaring Circle and adjoining areas on Wednesday to assess the progress of key development projects and review public infrastructure and service delivery in the remote region. During the tour, the DC visited Government Upper Primary School (GUPS) Menga and reviewed its existing infrastructure, facilities and developmental requirements. He stressed the need for a safe, functional and conducive learning environment for children in remote areas. He also inspected the Government Inspection Bungalow at Bogne and reviewed its infrastructure and requirements for improvement and better utilisation. At Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Kebaso, Gambo assessed the facilities available to students, with particular focus on residential and educational infrastructure and the need to ensure a safe and supportive environment for girl students. The DC subsequently visited GUPS Podamara to assess school infrastructure and ongoing requirements. He directed the concerned authorities to address identified gaps and ensure timely improvement of facilities. At Jaring Circle headquarters, Gambo inspected emerging administrative infrastructure and reviewed ongoing development initiatives. He also inspected the site of the proposed helipad, which is expected to improve connectivity to the remote area and facilitate emergency medical evacuation, disaster response and administrative movement. The DC further reviewed ongoing Frontier Highway construction works at M.O. Mara. He emphasised the importance of improved road connectivity in facilitating the movement of people and goods and creating opportunities for socio-economic development in the region. Gambo directed the concerned departments and executing agencies to maintain quality, transparency and accountability in development works. He called for prompt resolution of bottlenecks and timely execution of projects to ensure that their benefits reach the people at the earliest. The tour underscored the district administration’s focus on strengthening public and strategic infrastructure, improving connectivity and extending development initiatives to the remote areas of Upper Subansiri. (DIPR)    

PIJERANG, OCT 8: The District Police Pakke Kessang, in collaboration with the district administration, Department of Tax, Excise & Narcotics, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Gaon Burahs (GBs), conducted a joint survey and awareness drive against illegal cannabis cultivation in Pijerang Circle. The exercise was carried out across identified areas where illegal cannabis cultivation had been reported. During the drive, officials interacted with landowners and community members, sensitising them about the serious health hazards and social consequences of cannabis cultivation and trade, besides the legal consequences under applicable laws. The District Police and Administration appreciated the cooperation and support extended by local leaders, Gaon Burahs and community members in efforts to curb illegal cannabis cultivation and promote a drug-free society.  

DEOMALI, OCT 8: The Deomali Forest Division concluded its weeklong Wildlife Week 2026 celebrations with a mini-marathon here on Thursday, organised around this year’s theme, “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife.” A total of 164 participants, including school and college students, youth, women and government officials, took part in the event. Deomali Block ZPM Yalik Lowang attended the event as chief guest. Town Magistrate Deomali Toko Kacha and Assistant Professor and NSS Programme Officer, WRGC Deomali Ngamwang Lowang were also present. In the general boys’ category, Wanglem Kungkho secured first place, followed by Rohit Chetry and Rotoan Pumoh. In the girls’ category, Nawdam Manham stood first, followed by Lihphe Gangsa and Mancha Boi. In the women’s general category, Rumi Dutta, Minham Lowang and Nasen Basia secured the first three positions respectively. In the WRGC-NSS boys’ category, Dangpho Pansa, Noknyai Pansa and Phonyai Pansa secured the top three positions, while Pilai Wangsa, Akhaw Gangsa and Nelai Wangsa finished first, second and third respectively in the girls’ category. Among departmental staff, Tehon Ngongwa, Jitlang Aboh and Toko Kacha secured the top three positions in the men’s category, while Rongte Moithak, Chakam Lowang and Linda Moika did so in the women’s category. Commendation prizes were also awarded to three junior participants—12-year-old Hangjon Shin and 13-year-olds Moandeak Ketok and Wangcha Rajkumar—for successfully completing the marathon. Addressing the participants, Yalik Lowang appreciated their enthusiasm and commitment to a healthy lifestyle and called for greater awareness and respect for wildlife and biodiversity. She emphasised the importance of wildlife conservation for both nature and human well-being. The DFO Deomali also appreciated the public participation and called for collective efforts to make Deomali a model of healthy biodiversity and harmonious coexistence between people and wildlife. The mini-marathon marked the culmination of the Wildlife Week celebrations, which featured a series of awareness and conservation-oriented activities aimed at strengthening public participation in wildlife conservation.    

BASAR, OCT 8: The Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst the Youth (SPICMACAY) is taking Indian classical music and dance closer to students in remote and rural areas of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its Golden Jubilee outreach initiative. As part of the programme, Bharatanatyam artiste Sraddhasree Bramo performed and interacted with students at schools in Basar, Tirbin and Dari in Leparada district from October 5 to 8. The district-level programme was organised by SPICMACAY State Coordinator Chayanika Vashisht with the support of the district administration and the Department of School Education. The performances gave students an opportunity to experience Indian classical dance and learn about the country’s diverse cultural traditions. Through her Bharatanatyam presentations, Bramo introduced students to the artistic expressions, traditions and cultural significance of the classical dance form, while encouraging greater awareness and appreciation of India’s intangible cultural heritage. The programme was coordinated by Block Education Officer (General), DDSE Office Basar Doke Lombi under the supervision of Deputy Director of School Education Basar Tomi Doke. SPICMACAY, a national organisation dedicated to promoting Indian classical music, dance and culture among youth, will complete 50 years in 2027. As part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations, the organisation has undertaken a nationwide outreach initiative to bring traditional art forms to educational institutions, particularly in areas where students have limited access to such programmes. In Arunachal Pradesh, the outreach is being conducted in phases from October 5 to 9 and October 27 to 31, covering schools across different districts, including remote and border areas. Around 10 schools are being covered in each district. The initiative seeks to provide students with direct exposure to India’s classical traditions and promote cultural learning beyond the classroom.