Latest News

Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT, SEP 23: The 11th Ayurveda Day was observed at the College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University (I), Pasighat, with a focus on Ayurveda, medicinal and aromatic plants, traditional knowledge, health and opportunities in herbal entrepreneurship. The programme was organised by the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants & Betelvine. Students, faculty members and farmers participated in the programme and were apprised of the health, agricultural and commercial potential of medicinal plants. College of Agriculture Dean Dr Sanjay Swami said Ayurveda addresses physical and mental well-being and promotes harmony between human beings and nature. He said the observance provided an opportunity to reconnect with traditional knowledge and understand the role of medicinal plants and natural resources in maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Dr Imli Kumba highlighted the traditional uses of medicinal plants and their relevance to health and well-being. He spoke about plants including Aparni, Ashwagandha, Shankhapushpi, Brahmi, Jatamansi, Tulsi, Vacha, Yashtimadhu and Shatavari, while explaining their traditional associations with areas such as relaxation, concentration, respiratory health and general wellness. Kumba also highlighted opportunities for farmers under the Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants. He encouraged farmers to explore medicinal-plant cultivation, contract farming and organised markets, stressing the need to understand market requirements before undertaking commercial cultivation. He also highlighted e-Charak, a digital platform intended to facilitate market access for medicinal-plant producers. He encouraged skill development and entrepreneurship through preparation of value-added herbal products such as hair oils and gels. Speaking on herbal market utilisation, Darga Taipodia highlighted the region’s rich diversity of medicinal plants and the scope for creating greater value through scientific identification, responsible cultivation and collection, drying, processing and packaging. Taipodia stressed the importance of branding, packaging, storytelling and digital marketing in taking local herbal products to wider markets. He said products such as herbal tea could communicate their geographical, cultural and traditional significance while creating greater value for producers. The programme emphasised the need to combine traditional knowledge with scientific practices, value addition and modern market opportunities for sustainable development of medicinal and aromatic plants and creation of livelihood opportunities in the region.  

ITANAGAR, SEP 22: Arunachal Pradesh’s final electoral roll was published on Tuesday with 6.96 lakh voters, a reduction of 1.91 lakh from the pre-SIR count. The final list includes 3,43,709 men, 3,52,315 women and two third-gender electors. Officials at the election office here said 43.61 per cent of registered voters on the electoral roll possess a physical or digital Voter ID card, while the gender ratio was 1,025 women per 1,000 men. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the northeastern state began on June 5, and the draft list was published on July 21 with 7,18,046 electors. Of these, 6,32,871 were mapped as self or progeny, while 85,175 were unmapped. Notices were issued to those unmapped and another 1,33,413 electors with logical discrepancies for verification. In all, 2,18,588 notices were issued during the notice phase, officials said. The authorities subsequently conducted hearings and verified documents submitted by electors and undertakings furnished by booth-level officers. During the claims and objections period from July 21 to August 20, as many as 18,598 forms were received. A total of 8,803 electors were added and 1,924 deleted from the draft roll. The final electoral roll shows that the number of electors has come down from 8,87,505 to 6,96,026, a reduction of 1,91,479 voters. Aggrieved electors can file an appeal before the district magistrate within 15 days of final roll publication. A second appeal can be filed before the chief electoral officer within 30 days of the district magistrate’s order. The final electoral roll for service voters was also published on Tuesday, with 5,552 service electors enrolled in the state. (Source: PTI)  

ITANAGAR, SEP 22: Sikkim-based rapper Ugen Namgyal Bhutia, popularly known as UNB, was allegedly attacked by a group of men in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley district, police said on Tuesday. The incident happened around 6 pm on Monday near Tiwari Gaon when UNB and his team were returning to Roing after attending a festival in Anini, they said. Two vehicles allegedly followed their car for nearly an hour before intercepting it on an isolated stretch. Eight to ten men allegedly vandalised UNB’s vehicle with a rod, and attacked him and his manager, police said. UNB suffered injuries to his head and face, besides swelling around one eye, they said, adding that the attackers fled after seeing a truck approaching the spot. The incident was reported to Roing police station around 7.50 pm. Police attributed the delay in reporting the matter to poor mobile connectivity in the area. Following the complaint, police alerted check gates and asked personnel to look out for vehicles matching the description provided by the victims. UNB’s manager alleged that the attackers had covered the number plates of their vehicles with mud and intercepted their car after confirming that the rapper was travelling in it. Roing police station officer-in-charge Taniya Uli said police accompanied UNB and his team to the site on Tuesday for investigation. The isolated location, absence of eyewitnesses and poor network connectivity were posing challenges to the investigation, the officer said. A case has been registered under provisions relating to wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation, he said. Police said they were working to ascertain the motive behind the attack and establish the identity of the accused. The incident comes days after National Award-winning filmmaker from Meghalaya, Dominic Sangma, was allegedly assaulted near the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) campus at Jote, near Itanagar. Sangma, who heads the institute’s Department of Screenwriting, was allegedly attacked by two men on September 16 after he intervened when FTII students were allegedly being harassed. Police have arrested the two accused — Techi Nanu and Techi Sanjay. Sangma, known for his work in Garo-language cinema, was returning from an evening walk when he intervened in the altercation. Sangma’s wife alleged that besides assaulting him, the accused also attacked an FTII security guard and four students.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 22: Governor KT Parnaik on Tuesday stressed the need to strengthen telecom connectivity across the state, saying reliable communication has become essential. The governor made the remarks during a meeting with BSNL East-II telecom circle chief general manager Ramashray Prasad at Lok Bhavan, a statement said. Parnaik said uninterrupted internet connectivity is crucial for modern education, including smart classrooms and digital learning platforms, besides telemedicine and digital banking. The governor said poor or inconsistent network connectivity remains one of the major concerns raised by villagers, students, government officials and entrepreneurs. “In several remote areas, weak signals and slow internet continue to affect access to essential services, delay communication and restrict economic opportunities,” Parnaik said, adding that connectivity is no longer merely a convenience but a critical requirement for development. The BSNL official briefed the governor on the progress of telecom network installation and the challenges faced in expanding services. He also acknowledged the difficulties faced by users and assured that the issues would be addressed on priority. The governor advised BSNL to maintain close coordination with district administrations while laying optical fibre networks and setting up telecom infrastructure. It was also decided in the meeting that a coordination conference involving the state government, Armed Forces and BSNL will be held to resolve existing issues. (Source: PTI)    

ITANAGAR, SEP 22: From QR-based hospital navigation and teleradiology to mega health camps and intensified disease screening, Arunachal Pradesh is expanding healthcare access, particularly in remote areas, with several key initiatives conceived and pushed by Health Minister Biyuram Wahge, health department officials said on Tuesday. Among the initiatives is the “Scan & Find” QR-based indoor navigation system at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), introduced based on Wahge’s idea. The system allows patients and attendants to locate OPDs, laboratories and diagnostic rooms by scanning a QR code without downloading an app. The initiative earned national recognition at the National Conference on Patient Safety 2026 at AIIMS Nagpur. A complementary “Scan & Feedback” platform, also pushed by the minister, enables patients to digitally share their experience of hospital services. Addressing the media, Directorate of Health Services spokesperson Dr Gomi Basar said the department was translating the health minister’s ideas into practical solutions aimed at making healthcare more accessible and patient-friendly. “The statewide teleradiology network, launched at TRIHMS in June, has connected 225 health facilities through a Radiology Information System and Picture Archiving and Communication System. It enables diagnostic images from remote health centres to be sent for specialist reporting, addressing the shortage of radiologists in districts,” Dr Basar said. Another spokesperson, Dr Bombei Tayeng Toko, said teleradiology and statewide mega health camps reflected Wahge’s emphasis on taking specialist healthcare closer to people in remote areas. The department said Arunachal was also recognised by the Centre for its performance under the 100-day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. Between January and September, 78,129 vulnerable people were screened and 13,436 X-rays conducted, while 1,979 TB patients are currently undergoing treatment. The department also reported improved performance in HIV/AIDS control, saying the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society had risen to second position nationally. Around 2,600 people were living with HIV in the state as of April 2026. On manpower, Dr Toko said that 38 allopathic GDMOs, six homeopathic GDMOs, seven dental surgeons and 72 specialists were recruited during 2025-26. Rural postings were also introduced for 144 MBBS and 44 nursing graduates. Free dialysis is available through 11 units covering 10 districts and TRIHMS, with three more districts set to be added. Solar power systems are also being installed at 393 health facilities to ensure reliable electricity for medical equipment and vaccine cold chains. The next State Wide Mega Health Mela, another initiative associated with Wahge’s healthcare outreach push, is scheduled for October 2. The previous statewide exercise served 14,298 patients and provided more than 40,000 services.    

DEOMALI, SEP 22: A leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) cub weighing around 250 grams was rescued after being found stranded along the Deomali-Namsang Road on September 20. The cub was found by Temin Lama of Deomali, who promptly handed it over to Deomali Range Forest Officer D. Lowang for necessary care and protection. Following assessment and necessary arrangements, the cub was transported on September 22 and safely handed over to the Mini Zoo, Miao, under Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Changlang district. It will remain under proper care and monitoring for rehabilitation. Deomali Divisional Forest Officer B Taba appreciated Lama for his timely cooperation and responsible action towards wildlife conservation. He appealed to the public to immediately inform the nearest Forest Department office or officials upon encountering stranded, injured or distressed wildlife and refrain from handling or disturbing such animals. The rescue is part of the Deomali Forest Division’s ongoing wildlife protection and conservation efforts. Earlier in March, the division had rescued a bear cub from Borduria and shifted it to the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation at Pakke Tiger Reserve for specialised care and rehabilitation. The Forest Division has urged the public to support its ongoing wildlife conservation initiatives. (DIPR)