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TAWANG, OCT 3: A five-day skill development training programme on “Vermicomposting and Entrepreneurship Development” concluded at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tawang, on Friday, benefiting 25 progressive farmers from the district. The concluding session was chaired by Kyidphel Circle Assistant Commissioner Sangey Norbu and attended by Jang Agriculture Development Officer, KVK Tawang Senior Scientist and Head Dr Anjanand Tripathy, officials and participating farmers. Addressing the participants, Dr Tripathy highlighted the scope of vermicomposting in sustainable agriculture and its potential as an income-generating enterprise. He encouraged farmers to utilise locally available organic resources and adopt vermicomposting as an environment-friendly farming practice. Vegetable and barley seeds were also distributed among the participants. Sangey Norbu emphasised the importance of vermicomposting in environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture, stressing the need to reduce dependence on chemical inputs, improve soil health and promote eco-friendly farming practices. A plantation drive was also organised under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, during which 30 saplings were planted by participants and officials. The training equipped farmers with practical knowledge and skills in vermicompost production and its application in agriculture, while highlighting its potential for entrepreneurship and additional income generation. The programme concluded with a renewed emphasis on sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship and environmental conservation.    

ITANAGAR, OCT 2: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday launched the Itanagar Municipal Corporation’s (IMC) mobile application aimed at making garbage collection in the state capital smarter, faster and more responsive, with residents able to track garbage trucks in real time and report overflowing bins through their mobile phones. The technology-driven initiative is expected to make the city’s waste collection system more responsive by creating a direct link between residents and the civic body, while also helping the IMC monitor the performance of its sanitation teams, Khandu said in a social media post. “Technology-driven initiatives should make public services smarter, faster and more responsive,” Khandu said in a post on X, highlighting the new app as an effort to improve everyday waste collection in Itanagar. One of the key features of the application is live tracking of garbage collection vehicles. Residents can check the real-time location of a garbage truck and hand over their waste when the vehicle is nearby, reducing the chances of missing the collection round. “No more unnecessary waiting or missing the vehicle and waiting for the next round,” Khandu said. The app also allows citizens to report overflowing garbage bins by simply taking a photograph and uploading it through the platform. The complaint reaches the IMC dashboard, enabling the concerned team to identify the location and take action to clear the waste. Another feature is the before-and-after tracking system, under which photographs of reported waste are recorded before and after clearance. This will help the civic body monitor whether complaints have been attended to and whether the reported waste has been removed. The chief minister said the initiative reflects the growing use of technology to make civic services more citizen-friendly and improve accountability in municipal service delivery. The launch comes at a time when the IMC is working to strengthen solid waste management in the state capital, including improving waste collection and transportation systems and encouraging greater public participation in keeping the city clean. The app was launched as part of the Swachh Bharat Diwas celebrations under the Swachhta Hi Seva-2026 campaign. Khandu has also urged residents to take greater responsibility for cleanliness and work together with the civic authorities to keep Itanagar clean and green. With the new digital platform, residents can now play a more active role in the city’s sanitation system, from knowing when a garbage truck is approaching their locality to reporting unattended waste and checking whether action has been taken, officials said. (Source: PTI)    

PASIGHAT, OCT 2: The Study-cum-Fact-Finding Committee constituted by the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) to examine issues surrounding the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) began its field visit on Friday. The committee, constituted by APCC president Bosiram Siram, will undertake a ground-level assessment and gather first-hand information on the proposed project, its likely implications and concerns raised by people and communities in the Siang region. Upon reaching Pasighat, the committee members called on Bosiram Siram at his residence at Tigra-Mirbuk and briefed him on the commencement of the field visit and the objectives of the exercise. The committee will visit areas potentially affected by the proposed project and interact with local residents, affected communities, traditional institutions, community representatives and other stakeholders to gather their views and document concerns related to SUMP. According to the APCC, the exercise will examine the potential social, environmental, economic, livelihood, land and community-related implications of the proposed project. The party said the findings would provide a first-hand assessment of ground-level concerns for a more informed public discussion. The APCC has also called for transparency regarding project planning and design, feasibility and technical studies, environmental and social impact assessments, statutory clearances, land requirements, rehabilitation and resettlement provisions, compensation and the long-term implications for affected communities. It has sought public access to relevant project documents and information and said affected people should be adequately informed and given an opportunity to express their views before major decisions concerning their land, livelihoods and environment are taken. The committee will submit its findings to the APCC president after completion of the field assessment for further examination and action by the party. The APCC reiterated its position that decisions concerning the proposed project should take into account transparency, public participation and the concerns of potentially affected communities.    

PASIGHAT, OCT 2: The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, in collaboration with Wadhwani AI, conducted a three-day training on the Newborn Anthropometry AI (NBA) tool and Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in East Siang district. Held from September 29 to October 1 in three batches across Ruksin, Pasighat and Mebo blocks, the training was organised with the support of the District Health Society, East Siang. The AI-enabled Shishu Mapan application developed by Wadhwani AI is designed to support frontline health workers in monitoring newborns aged 0–42 days. Through a video of around 15 to 20 seconds, the application captures key anthropometric parameters, including weight, length/height, head circumference, chest circumference and mid-upper arm circumference, enabling technology-assisted newborn assessment at the community level. The integrated platform also digitises HBNC records, allowing Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to electronically record newborn home visits. It is expected to simplify documentation, improve the availability of newborn-related data and strengthen monitoring of HBNC services by frontline workers and programme managers. The training covered 108 ASHAs and 15 ASHA Facilitators from Ruksin, Pasighat and Mebo blocks. District and block-level officials, including the District Reproductive and Child Health Officer, District ASHA Nodal Officer, District Community Mobilizer and Block Community Mobilizers, also participated. As part of adapting the AI application to local requirements, field-based model contextualisation was undertaken in Namsai, Papum Pare, East Siang, West Siang and Changlang districts. The exercise focused on validating the application against the population characteristics and field conditions of Arunachal Pradesh. Following the contextualisation exercise, the NBA-HBNC integrated AI application is being rolled out in East Siang and West Siang districts. Its usability, accuracy, feasibility and field-level acceptability will be assessed during the rollout, with the findings expected to inform its possible extension to other districts. The initiative marks an effort to leverage digital technology and AI to strengthen newborn care and equip frontline health workers with technology-enabled tools for community-level monitoring.    

DEOMALI, OCT 2: The Sub-Divisional Administration Deomali, in collaboration with Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Deomali, organised a street play and musical concert as part of the Week of Non-Violence being observed in connection with the International Day of Non-Violence 2026. Deomali Additional Deputy Commissioner Tana Bapu, Deomali ZPM Yalik Lowang, Soha ZPM Wanglem Thingnok, heads of departments, teachers, public leaders and local residents attended the programme. Deomali Assistant Commissioner IT Riba, in her opening address, highlighted the purpose of the event and the importance of promoting peace and non-violence among the younger generation. Students of GHSS Deomali presented various performances, including a band performance by the OLD-Zs. The highlight was a street play on the theme of non-violence, presented by the students and narrated by PGT (Political Science) Jyoti Panka, National Teachers’ Awardee 2024. The programme also featured a musical concert by Nocte Idol Season-1 finalists Samban Sawin of Makat village and Banban Moika of Doidam village. Their performances conveying messages of peace and non-violence were appreciated by the audience. The programme was hosted by the Circle Officer-cum-Town Magistrate Deomali, who said engaging students as ambassadors of peace was important as they have a significant role in shaping society. The administration said the initiative aimed to promote peace, positivity and non-violence while reinforcing the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. (DIPR)