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LIKABALI, OCT 27: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has called for stronger child protection mechanisms and greater coordination among stakeholders to safeguard children’s rights during a two-day visit to Lower Siang district. Commission members Niri Chongrowju and Taba Champa Riba participated in an advanced sensitisation programme on child rights and protection organised in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit and the Deputy Director of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Lower Siang. Deputy Commissioner Gobi Nyicyor inaugurated the programme and highlighted the importance of child-centric government schemes and laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and juvenile justice legislation. He stressed that preventing school dropouts was essential to addressing juvenile delinquency and protecting children from potential risks. Likabali Zilla Parishad Member Karbi Nyodu Taipodia emphasised collective efforts to ensure the effective delivery of child rights, while DSP Mini Geyi highlighted the police department’s readiness to address issues concerning children’s safety and protection. APSCPCR member Taba Champa Riba stressed that every child deserved equal rights, education, empowerment and protection, irrespective of religious, social or economic background. Fellow member Niri Chongrowju explained the commission’s mandate and functioning, calling on educational institutions to establish and effectively operate mandatory Prahari Clubs to prevent drug and substance abuse among children. Technical sessions conducted by Child Welfare Committee Chairperson Dr Rima Taipodia, DANO Dr Senpe Taipodia and Likabali Police Station officer-in-charge Abraham Taying covered child rights, the Juvenile Justice Act, the POCSO Act, cybercrime and online safety, the Right to Education Act, and drug and substance abuse Earlier, CDPO-cum-District Child Protection Officer Jikom Doye delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of awareness and coordinated efforts in safeguarding children. On the second day, the commission members are scheduled to interact with schoolchildren and inspect the One Stop Centre, Likabali Police Station and rehabilitation centres to assess child protection measures and review the implementation of relevant programmes and services in the district.      

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh, staged a protest at its state headquarters in Itanagar against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his reported “Baap” remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event in Patna. Hundreds of BJP workers took part in the protest, which was led by state general secretaries Tadar Niglar and Junty Singpho. The demonstration culminated in the burning of Kharge’s effigy. The BJP workers condemned the remark, stating that political differences should not lead to personal insults against elected leaders. They also called for greater dignity and decorum in public discourse. In a statement, the state BJP said the country needed constructive politics, accountable leadership and respectful debate rather than personal attacks on the Prime Minister. The party said the protest was part of a nationwide demonstration against what it described as disrespectful political rhetoric.    

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: The Arunachal Pradesh media fraternity on Monday paid tribute to veteran journalist Taro Chatung on his seventh death anniversary, remembering his pioneering contribution to electronic media and his legacy of fearless journalism. The Arunachal Press Club (APC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) observed the anniversary at the press club, while the Arunachal Electronic and Digital Media Association (AEDMA) organised a blood donation drive at the Ramakrishna Mission Blood Centre in his memory. Chatung, widely regarded as a pioneer of electronic media in Arunachal Pradesh, died on October 26, 2019, following serious health issues. At the APC observance, his wife Taro Bina, daughter Taro Sia and members of the press club and journalists’ union paid floral tributes to the late journalist. Bina thanked the two organisations for their continued support to the family and urged young journalists to uphold factual, unbiased and responsible reporting. She cautioned against yellow journalism and stressed the importance of prioritising accuracy over sensationalism. APC general secretary Damien Lepcha recalled his association with Chatung and said the annual observance would continue to honour his contribution to journalism. He urged young journalists to draw inspiration from Chatung’s courage to speak out and question those in power. Senior journalist Bengia Ajum, who had worked with Chatung, described him as a principled journalist whose legacy continued to inspire the media fraternity. He called upon younger journalists to carry forward his values. At the AEDMA programme, Bina and Sia joined Chatung’s longtime friend, actor and director Hage D Apa, in remembering his contributions to journalism and local cinema. Bina thanked the association for keeping his memory alive, while Apa called for greater recognition of Chatung’s contributions to journalism and public service. Tana Opu, national executive member of the BJP Yuva Morcha, also attended the programme along with her team to pay tribute. The blood donation drive sought to commemorate Chatung’s life through an act of service to the community. The anniversary was also observed by the Ziro Press Club, where members remembered his role in shaping the state’s media landscape.    

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: Arunachal Pradesh’s horticulture sector took a step towards international markets on Monday with Horticulture Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu flagging off a trial shipment of kiwi from Ziro to Dubai. Describing the initiative as a proud moment for the state, Wangsu said it aimed to connect produce from Arunachal’s highland orchards with international buyers and create better income opportunities for farmers. He said the state’s favourable climate, soil and natural conditions offered considerable potential for horticultural production. However, realising this potential would require greater focus on post-harvest management, grading, quality packaging, storage, transportation, processing and reliable market linkages. Wangsu stressed that sustained exports would depend on maintaining product quality and ensuring consistency in supplies. He said the trial shipment would help assess market response, understand buyer expectations and prepare for regular commercial exports. “An export shipment can open a door, but only the quality of our products and consistency can keep that door open,” he said, emphasising the need to build buyer confidence and secure fair and sustainable returns for farmers. He expressed hope that the consignment would pave the way for sustained international market access for Arunachal kiwi rather than remain a one-time achievement. MLA-cum-Advisor to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce Mohesh Chai, MLA Hage Appa, secretaries and directors of the Horticulture and Trade and Commerce departments, senior government officers, representatives of ICAR-RCNEH and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and local kiwi growers attended the flag-off programme.    

BALIJAN, OCT 26: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) presented the ‘Land of Rising Sun’ Plaque for Excellence to the Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Arunachal Pradesh Trust (VKVAPT) at Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Balijan, on Sunday. VKVAPT secretary Sujatha Nayak and joint secretary Rupesh Mathur received the plaque in the presence of VKV alumni, including alumni association president Minggam Pertin and Akepi Linggi, along with students. Commending the trust for its contribution to education, the Governor said VKV schools had fostered an academic environment that promoted knowledge, discipline, character-building and holistic development. He said the institutions had earned a distinguished place among the state’s educational institutions through their commitment to academic excellence and value-based education. Urging the trust to sustain and strengthen its efforts, Parnaik said VKVs had become a source of inspiration and pride for Arunachal Pradesh. He encouraged the institutions to continue nurturing young people in the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, including leadership, self-discipline, patriotism and selfless service. The Governor observed that VKV alumni were contributing to the state’s development in diverse fields. He expressed confidence that continued emphasis on quality education and character formation would help students realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to a prosperous Arunachal Pradesh and a developed India.    

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: The Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development (AHV&DD), Arunachal Pradesh, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Monday to strengthen market access for local dairy farmers, alongside the flag-off of packaged milk supplies at the Civil Secretariat here. The initiative aims to establish a structured institutional market for locally produced milk and promote an organised and sustainable dairy sector in the state. AHV&DD Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu, who attended the programme as chief guest, said developing the dairy sector was important for increasing farmers’ income, generating rural employment and strengthening economic self-reliance. He said institutional partnerships could connect local producers with assured markets, encourage dairy entrepreneurship and make dairy farming a more viable livelihood. Invoking the motto “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, Wangsu highlighted the contributions of security personnel and farmers to national security and economic development. AHV&DD Secretary Y.V.V.J. Rajasekhar outlined the MoU’s objectives and the department’s efforts to strengthen the dairy value chain, covering milk production, collection, processing, packaging and marketing. He said the partnership would link local dairy production with institutional demand and facilitate regular supplies of packaged milk to ITBP personnel. The initiative is expected to improve market confidence among dairy farmers, encourage organised dairy farming and support the expansion of milk production and related economic activities in the state. The department said it would focus on maintaining quality and food safety standards and ensuring reliable, timely delivery as the partnership progresses. Senior state government officials and ITBP representatives, including DIG (Frontier), Itanagar, Abu Sufian, attended the programme.    

SHANTIVAN, OCT 26: Arunachal Pradesh Home and Inter-State Border Affairs Minister Mama Natung attended a plenary session on “Spiritual Leadership for a Better World” during Global Summit 2026 and Navdashkotsav at Shantivan, Abu Road, Rajasthan, on October 24. The summit was organised by the Brahma Kumaris to commemorate 90 years of spiritual leadership. Addressing the session, Natung said compassion, ethics, integrity and inner wisdom were the foundations of enlightened leadership. He highlighted the relevance of spiritual values and the Brahma Kumaris’ Rajyoga teachings in promoting inner peace, harmony and a compassionate society amid growing complexity and rapid digital transformation. The session was attended by former Union Minister Sanjay Paswan, Lodha Foundation chairperson Manju Lodha, Karnataka MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao and Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, among other leaders and spiritual figures. The summit provided a platform for discussions on the role of ethical leadership and spirituality in fostering a peaceful, inclusive and harmonious society.