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Maksam Tayeng PASIGHAT : In a landmark development for higher education in Arunachal Pradesh, noted educationist Dr Tayek Talom has been appointed Vice Chancellor of Apex Professional University (APU), Pasighat, becoming the first person from the state to hold the post since the university’s establishment 13 years ago. Dr Talom officially assumed office on August 1 after taking the oath of allegiance administered by APU Chancellor Acharya Dhanwant Singh during a formal ceremony. A distinguished academic administrator, Dr Talom previously served as Director of Higher and Technical Education in the Arunachal Pradesh Government. With decades of experience in higher education administration, institutional governance, policy implementation and academic leadership, he is widely regarded as an accomplished educationist. Addressing the university community after assuming office, Dr Talom outlined his vision of developing APU into a student-centric institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, research, creativity, discipline, ethical leadership and enhanced employability. He said the university would focus on strengthening research and innovation, promoting interdisciplinary learning, integrating emerging technologies into teaching, expanding collaborations with industry and academic institutions, enhancing student support services, and ensuring that higher education remains inclusive, accessible and responsive to the aspirations of students. The university expressed confidence that Dr Talom’s leadership would further strengthen its reputation for quality professional education, research and innovation while producing globally competitive graduates. The university fraternity also extended its congratulations, expressing optimism that APU would achieve new milestones under his leadership. Established under the Apex Professional University Act, 2013, APU is a University Grants Commission (UGC)-recognised state private university and a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and research programmes in disciplines including law, forensic sciences, education, liberal arts, management, technology, pharmacy, nursing, paramedical sciences, naturopathy, yogic science, architecture and planning. Its programmes are approved by statutory regulatory bodies, including the Bar Council of India (BCI), Council of Architecture (CoA), National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and the Arunachal Pradesh Nursing Council (APNC), wherever applicable.    

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday joined the nationwide launch of the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan, with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, district administrations, educational institutions and youth organisations participating in the 100-week campaign against substance abuse. Chief Minister Pema Khandu joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual launch of the campaign from Tawang and urged the youth of the state to become ambassadors of the movement against drug abuse. The campaign, spearheaded by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, commenced with more than one crore young people across over 10,000 locations taking a pledge to stay away from drugs and contribute towards nation-building. Launching the initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a developed India requires mentally and physically healthy youth free from substance abuse. Describing the campaign as a movement involving not only young people but also families, communities and the nation, he urged the youth to reject drugs, warning that while substance abuse may provide temporary pleasure, it ultimately destroys careers and lives. The Prime Minister called upon young Indians to participate in the 100-week Jan Bhagidari campaign, under which awareness programmes, sports events, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural activities, street plays, discussions and community outreach programmes will be organised every Sunday across the country. In a social media post, Khandu said India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, had transformed the fight against substance abuse into a true people’s movement. “I urge every youth in Arunachal to become an ambassador of this movement and encourage their families, friends and communities to choose a healthy, disciplined and drug-free life,” he said. Meanwhile, district administrations across Arunachal Pradesh also participated in the virtual launch of the nationwide campaign. In East Siang district, Women Against Social Evils (WASE) joined the virtual programme and reaffirmed its commitment to spreading awareness against substance abuse and mobilising community participation in support of the campaign. At North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli, MY Bharat, Itanagar, organised a special programme under the campaign in which more than 520 youths participated. Itanagar Capital Region Deputy Commissioner Toko Babu administered the Nasha Mukti Pledge, urging participants to become ambassadors of a healthy, responsible and drug-free society. Addressing the gathering, he appreciated the efforts of MY Bharat volunteers and called upon them to continue their campaign against drug abuse. He also stressed the need for stronger coordination with de-addiction and rehabilitation centres to support affected youth. The programme featured the Prime Minister’s virtual address, cultural performances and youth engagement activities promoting awareness, social responsibility and collective action against substance abuse. The event was organised by MY Bharat Itanagar under District Youth Officer Vineeta Chaudhary, under the supervision of State Director Dr Salam D Singh, in coordination with NERIST. It reflected the growing commitment of Arunachal Pradesh’s youth to the vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047. In Lower Siang district, the District Administration, in collaboration with the Police and Health departments, organised an awareness-cum-youth interaction programme at the Government Higher Secondary School auditorium in Likabali. Addressing the gathering, Lower Siang DC Gobi Nyicyor said the country’s progress towards a Viksit Bharat depends on a healthy, responsible and empowered youth. He urged young people to become ambassadors of a drug-free society and called for collective efforts by all stakeholders to prevent substance abuse and safeguard the future of the younger generation. Lower Siang SP Bomken Basar, heads of departments, teachers, students and other stakeholders attended the programme, during which participants took the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pledge. Officer-in-Charge of Likabali Police Station Abraham Tayeng and Dr Gobuk Doke, who served as resource persons, highlighted the physical, mental and social consequences of substance abuse. They stressed the importance of awareness, early intervention and community participation, while urging students to stay away from drugs and spread awareness among their peers and families. The programme concluded with the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address, reinforcing the national resolve to combat substance abuse through collective action. (DIPRO) Meanwhile, MY Bharat West Siang, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, organised the district-level programme at Ramakrishna Mission School, Aalo, in association with Ramakrishna Mission. North East Frontier Technical University Vice-Chancellor Tejum Padu attended the programme as chief guest, while Ramakrishna Mission School Principal Swami Swayamprabhananda presided over the event. Both speakers highlighted the vital role of youth in nation-building and emphasised the importance of adopting a healthy, disciplined and drug-free lifestyle. Students, faculty members, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and youth participants joined the Prime Minister’s virtual address and took the Nasha Mukti Pledge, committing themselves to remain free from substance abuse and spread awareness in their educational institutions and communities. The programme concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthen the fight against substance abuse through sustained awareness campaigns, education, sports, cultural activities and community participation. (DIPR) In West Kameng district, an awareness-cum-youth interaction programme was organised at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Bomdila under the nationwide campaign. Addressing MY Bharat volunteers, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and students, West Kameng DC Dr Dilip Kumar said the country’s progress towards a Viksit Bharat depends on the strength and well-being of its youth. He urged young people to become ambassadors of a drug-free society and called for collective efforts to eliminate substance abuse. Participants took the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pledge before joining the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address. The programme was attended by the Deputy Director of School Education, District Medical Officer, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Kalaktang, Town Magistrate and other district officials. Meanwhile, Upper Siang district observed the campaign at Government Higher Secondary School, Yingkiong, where DC Talo Jerang, SP Token Saring, heads of departments, teachers and students participated in the live launch. Addressing the gathering, Jerang said the fight against substance abuse requires community participation and individual responsibility. Stressing the role of educational institutions, he urged schools to regularly sensitise students about the harmful effects of drugs and advocated preventive measures in

GANGTOK : The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA), in collaboration with Royal Enfield and the Department of English, Sikkim University, organised Gender Dialogues in the Himalayas: The Role of Institutions, Society and the Arts on July 31, bringing together scholars, artists, researchers and practitioners from across the Himalayan region to discuss gender, identity, culture, institutions and the arts. Held in a hybrid format, the programme served as an interdisciplinary platform for dialogue on gender, artistic practices and community engagement, with participants from different parts of the country. The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr Abrona L Aden, followed by an introduction to the Himalayan Fellowship by lead consultant Mary Therese Kurkalang, who outlined the fellowship’s objective of promoting research and creative practices across the Himalayan region. Representing Arunachal Pradesh, AP QueerStation founder Sawang Wangchha shared the organisation’s efforts to build safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities in the state. He highlighted the increasing visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Arunachal Pradesh while drawing attention to the challenges of loneliness, isolation and the lack of safe spaces faced by many indigenous queer persons. Drawing from AP QueerStation’s work in advocacy, mental health, storytelling, cultural engagement, research and public sensitisation, Wangchha spoke about the emerging queer movement in Arunachal Pradesh and stressed the need for community-led initiatives rooted in dignity, inclusion, dialogue and indigenous realities. The panel also featured Avinam Manger, Prof Rosy Chamling, Davidson Kumam and Shiva Pathak, with the session moderated by Lobsang Norbu. Discussions focused on the role of institutions, communities, literature, visual arts and cultural traditions in shaping conversations on gender and identity across the Himalayan region. Speakers collectively underscored the importance of strengthening dialogue, promoting inclusive cultural spaces and ensuring meaningful representation of diverse Himalayan communities, including indigenous and LGBTQIA+ groups, in academic, artistic and public discourse. The programme concluded with an interactive session between the speakers and participants, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Saswati Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Sikkim University. AP QueerStation expressed gratitude to FICA, Royal Enfield and the Department of English, Sikkim University for providing a platform that brought together diverse voices from across the Himalayan region to engage in meaningful discussions on gender, identity and inclusion.    

LIKABALI : A team from the Public Health Engineering and Water Supply (PHE&WS) Department on Sunday inspected flood-damaged water supply systems at Tene Camp and Tene village in Lower Siang district following the recent cloudburst at Upper Ramle Banggo. The inspection team, led by Likabali Executive Engineer Binga Gara, accompanied by Koyu Junior Engineer Mikshep Kadu and field staff, was initially scheduled to assess the damaged water supply infrastructure at Koyu Headquarters. However, the team could not reach the area due to a road blockade between Tene Camp and Kakki Village. The officials subsequently visited Tene Camp and Tene Village, where they inspected the damaged water supply systems and interacted with affected residents to assess the extent of the damage and understand their immediate requirements. During the visit, the team also distributed grocery items to flood-affected families as a gesture of support. The field inspection enabled the department to assess the impact of the recent natural calamity on water supply infrastructure and the difficulties being faced by the affected communities. The department is expected to carry out a detailed assessment and initiate restoration measures once road connectivity to the affected areas is restored. (DIPR)      

PASIGHAT : Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), Pasighat, on Sunday observed Nasha Mukt Bharat with a special programme on campus, emphasising the role of educational institutions and teachers in building a drug-free society. Welcoming the gathering, Assistant Registrar (Academics) Likha Rinchin outlined the objectives of the campaign and stressed that a drug-free nation begins with drug-free campuses. He said universities have a vital responsibility to guide young minds away from substance abuse and called for coordinated efforts involving the administration, faculty, students and the wider community to combat the menace of drugs. Dean of Academic Affairs Prof Jena said the campaign was more than an administrative initiative and represented a collective vision for an addiction-free society. Stressing the influential role of teachers, he urged the teaching community to actively sensitise students to the harmful effects of substance abuse both inside and outside the classroom. He said teachers should consider themselves active stakeholders in creating a substance-abuse-free campus and added that self-awareness and self-discipline among individuals were essential for the success of the campaign. He also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to safeguarding the younger generation and contributing to a healthier society. Anti-Tobacco Cell chairperson and Assistant Professor of Social Work Ngurang Mana administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge to students, faculty and staff, who vowed to remain free from drugs and tobacco and discourage their use on campus. Addressing the gathering, Mana reiterated that APU is a tobacco-free campus and urged students to refrain from using tobacco or other substances anywhere on the university premises. She warned that violations of the university’s tobacco-free and drug-free policies would invite strict disciplinary action while encouraging students to act as peer motivators in spreading awareness. Assistant Professor of Commerce Dr Yab Rajiv Camdir encouraged students to channel their energy into academics, sports and healthy pursuits. He said discipline was the key to both academic success and avoiding harmful habits, urging students to remain focused on constructive goals. The programme also featured the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan through video conferencing. The campaign, spearheaded by MY Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, marks the launch of a 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari initiative against substance abuse, with weekly awareness activities to be organised every Sunday across the country. In his address, the Prime Minister described the campaign as a movement for individuals, families and society, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a developed India with a healthy, mentally strong and addiction-free younger generation. Among those present were Registrar Narmi Darang, Dean of Student Welfare Dr Eli Doye, Assistant Registrar (Finance) Anil Nangkar, heads of departments, faculty members, staff, students and research scholars.