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AALO, SEP 30: Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini called for the First Interdepartmental Sports Tournament in West Siang to be organised as an annual event while addressing its valedictory function at Aalo Stadium on Tuesday. Jini congratulated the organisers and 23 participating government departments, involving around 1,000 employees, and said the tournament provided an opportunity for government employees to interact beyond their respective departments and foster coordination, unity and team spirit. Appreciating the efforts of DSO West Siang Eken Bam and his team, the Minister said such initiatives would contribute to developing a stronger sporting culture in the district. Speaking about sports infrastructure, Jini said work on the Aalo Outdoor Stadium was expected to commence soon, with completion and handover targeted for March 2027. He also informed that another parking facility was coming up in the township. The Minister appealed to the public to cooperate with the administration and avoid using the stadium premises until completion of the development works. He also called for collective efforts to keep Aalo clean and green, including segregation of waste at source. Deputy Commissioner Mindo Loyi, the organising chairman, described the 12-day tournament as an event that promoted healthy competition, discipline, teamwork and coordination among government employees. He said the tournament would be continued as an annual event. The final football match was played between the District Judiciary and 2nd AAPBn, with the latter winning 6-0. The Education Department won the badminton event. Matches were also live-telecast for the public. In the medal tally, the Health Department secured two gold medals, while 2nd AAPBn won one gold and one silver. The Urban Development Department secured one gold, while the Education Department won two silver medals and the Judiciary one silver. The valedictory programme also featured a Maga dance performance by students of SFS College, Aalo. (DIPR)  

BOLENG, SEP 29: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday said the government was not seeking to rush the proposed Siang Upper Multi-Purpose Project (SUMP) beyond the feasibility stage, stressing that the immediate priority was to complete the Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) to determine whether, where and how the proposed project could technically be developed. “If the experts determine after the PFR that the project cannot be built, there will be no further process,” Khandu said while interacting with government officers and officials of Siang district at Boleng. He said the PFR, expected to take about three months from November to January, would provide greater clarity on the project’s technical feasibility, proposed location and other parameters. Among other aspects, it would examine whether the proposed structure could technically be developed in Arunachal Pradesh’s Seismic Zone V, the level of protection it could provide against a possible release of water upstream and the suitability of potential locations. Khandu said that if the project is found technically feasible, subsequent stages would include Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), in accordance with applicable laws and procedures. The Chief Minister said SUMP should not be viewed merely as a conventional hydropower project, describing it instead as a proposed national project with wider strategic and security implications. Referring to China’s large water infrastructure plans, he said the project needed to be examined from scientific, technical and strategic perspectives before any further decision was taken. Khandu assured that the government would undertake extensive consultations with affected communities if the project proceeds beyond the feasibility stage. He said Gram Panchayats, villages and local communities would be engaged once a technically feasible location was identified, with detailed presentations and discussions on the project. He also said issues relating to land acquisition, assessment of agricultural and horticultural assets and Relief and Rehabilitation (R&R) would be dealt with separately. According to him, affected villages would be consulted on relocation, including the choice of sites, while land acquired for the project would be compensated in accordance with applicable rules. He also referred to the need for roads, schools, electricity and water supply in relocated settlements. Khandu further said that even after the PFR, if public hearings and consultations establish that the project should not proceed, the prescribed process would provide an opportunity for the project not to be taken forward. Emphasising direct engagement with local communities, the Chief Minister said he would undertake an extensive tour of Siang during his next visit and meet villagers at locations suggested by local officers and community representatives. He said he was prepared to spend a week or even 10 days in the area to hear people’s concerns and questions. “My duty is to tell you everything. My duty is to listen to your questions. It is our responsibility,” he said. On the potential economic implications, Khandu estimated the proposed investment at around Rs 1.5 lakh crore initially, potentially rising to Rs 2 lakh crore. He said such an investment could generate economic activity and employment opportunities for local youth in construction, road building, quarrying, transportation, supply of aggregates and sand and other ancillary sectors. The Chief Minister urged officers and officials to understand the project comprehensively and facilitate informed discussion on the proposal.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 29: Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia called on Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday. They discussed national security, Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs), disaster response and assistance during medical emergencies. The Governor commended the Eastern Air Command for its steadfast support to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly during natural disasters, medical emergencies and other critical situations. He said the Indian Air Force (IAF) had consistently demonstrated its commitment to public service by reaching remote and inaccessible areas where timely assistance was crucial. Highlighting the State’s geographical challenges, the Governor said the IAF played an important role in responding to floods, landslides and other emergencies by airlifting relief materials, rescuing stranded civilians and evacuating affected persons. The Governor also encouraged the Air Force to expand outreach initiatives for the State’s youth through career awareness programmes, NCC engagement, air displays and educational visits. He stressed the need to strengthen ALGs and air connectivity infrastructure to improve logistics, communication and emergency response capabilities, besides supporting socio-economic development in the border State. The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief assured the Governor of the Eastern Air Command’s continued support to Arunachal Pradesh and said the IAF would work closely with the State Government in disaster response, medical emergencies, connectivity support and other nation-building initiatives.      

PASIGHAT, SEP 29: The Arunachal Pradesh University Teachers’ Association (APUTA) met newly appointed Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Ashan Riddi on Tuesday and assured full cooperation for the academic and institutional development of the University. Led by APUTA President Dr Eli Doye, the delegation met Prof Riddi at his chamber for a welcome and introductory interaction. Dr Doye conveyed the association’s best wishes to the Vice-Chancellor and said the teaching fraternity looked forward to greater academic growth, research promotion and overall institutional development under his leadership. Prof Riddi welcomed the APUTA Executive Committee and thanked the association for the gesture. He said the cooperation of the teaching fraternity was essential for the University’s development and expressed his commitment to streamlining its functioning and working collectively for its academic and institutional advancement. During the interaction, APUTA Vice-President (Administration) Dr Kaling Moyong raised the need for separate and dedicated workspaces for faculty members. He said several faculty members engaged in Ph.D. supervision and major research projects, including ICSSR-funded projects, were currently sharing common rooms. Dedicated workspaces, he said, were important for research, effective Ph.D. supervision, interaction with research scholars and the discharge of academic responsibilities. The delegation also discussed faculty welfare, academic development, research promotion, university administration and infrastructure augmentation. Both APUTA and the Vice-Chancellor stressed the importance of sustained cooperation and constructive dialogue for the continued progress of Arunachal Pradesh University.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 29: From helping young students in Arunachal Pradesh overcome stage fright to taking their voices to an international platform, young social entrepreneur Porsum Ori is set for a new journey – this time to Bali, Indonesia. Ori, founder and chairperson of ‘Let’s Speak Arunachal’, has been selected as a delegate for the Asia World Model United Nations (AWMUN) XV Conference, scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia, from October 2 to 5. The international conference will bring together young delegates from different countries for discussions centred on diplomacy, leadership, public speaking and cross-cultural exchange. For Ori, the opportunity closely mirrors the mission she has been pursuing back home – helping young people find the confidence to speak, participate and lead. “I consider this not only a personal opportunity but also an opportunity to carry the spirit, aspirations and voices of the young people of Arunachal Pradesh to an international platform,” she said. “I hope to learn, exchange ideas and bring back experiences that can contribute meaningfully to our youth community.” Ori, 25, is a public speaker and emcee who founded ‘Let’s Speak Arunachal’ as a platform to address a problem she had observed among young people, particularly students from rural areas — many were academically capable but hesitant to articulate their ideas confidently. Since its launch in 2025, the Itanagar-based initiative has travelled to schools and institutions across the state, using public-speaking exercises, debates, role plays and interactive sessions to build communication skills, self-confidence, leadership and civic awareness. By March this year, workshops under the initiative, organised in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha, had reached around 1,800 students across six districts, including children from welfare homes, mission schools and institutions catering to differently-abled students. The initiative has also expanded into civic education. In August, Let’s Speak Arunachal organised a mock Parliament and constitutional awareness programme at Sainik School, East Siang, where students were exposed to parliamentary procedures, policy discussions, debates and fundamental rights and duties. Ori thanked Governor K T Parnaik, Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein for their encouragement and support towards youth initiatives. She also acknowledged youth affairs secretary Abu Tayeng and director Ramesh Linggi for supporting efforts to create opportunities for young people. Governor Parnaik had earlier commended ‘Let’s Speak Arunachal’ for its work in building communication skills and confidence among youngsters, while Mein had praised Ori and the organisation for travelling to schools across the state to provide public-speaking training and platforms to students. Now, as Ori heads from Arunachal to Bali, the platform she created to help youngsters find their voice will itself get a chance to be heard beyond India’s borders.