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Maksam Tayeng PASIGHAT, SEP 19: The Mebo Area Yameng Kebang (MAYK) has been formally constituted as a common youth platform to promote peace, unity, welfare and development across the Mebo area of East Siang district. At a meeting held on Friday, Indu Yommin was unanimously declared the first president of MAYK, while Kalen Pertin was appointed general secretary. The meeting followed earlier deliberations held at the ADC Conference Hall on August 16. The gathering discussed the organisation’s structure, aims and objectives, leadership and future course of action. Bodong Yirang, chief adviser of the Adi Baane Kebang, was unanimously nominated chairman of the meeting. Bogum Bokang Kebang president Nakmin Perme and senior social worker Gekong Pertin also participated in the deliberations. According to the resolution adopted at the meeting, representatives and members from villages across the Mebo area—from Bodak to Mer and Sigar to Aohali—gave their consent to the formation of MAYK. The members emphasised the need for a united and representative youth organisation to work collectively for the peace, welfare and overall development of the area. The house regularised the acting leadership and authorised Yommin and Pertin to take necessary steps for the formal establishment and functioning of the organisation. They were also entrusted with constituting the Executive Body with equitable representation from Mebo Banggo and Monggu Banggo. The meeting further resolved that the president, general secretary and Executive Body would draft the organisation’s Constitution and Bye-laws covering its aims and objectives, organisational structure, membership, administrative procedures, tenure and responsibilities of office-bearers, meetings and future activities. The draft will subsequently be placed before a General Body Conference of youths from the Mebo area for consideration and approval. Yirang, Perme and Pertin offered guidance and encouragement to the newly selected leaders and called upon members to uphold unity, responsibility and collective service. As a gesture of support, Pertin voluntarily contributed ₹25,000 to the newly formed organisation. Kangge Tayeng proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the chairman, senior members and participants for their suggestions and cooperation. The meeting concluded with a collective pledge to work towards the peace, progress, welfare and overall development of the Mebo area.  

ITANAGAR, SEP 19: Jai Thapa and Yunring Alan Hongray of Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Itanagar, emerged champions of the state-level Red Ribbon Quiz Competition, earning the right to represent Arunachal Pradesh at the Northeast regional contest in Meghalaya. Organised by the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) on Friday, the competition brought together young participants from across the state to test their knowledge on HIV/AIDS, health and related social issues. The quiz, conducted through multiple rounds, was aimed at taking HIV awareness beyond textbooks and classrooms by encouraging youngsters to question misconceptions, fight stigma and initiate informed conversations within their schools, families and communities. Radhika Lama and Nang Jewani Munglang of Higher Secondary School, Chongkham, secured the second position, while Phurpa Lhamu Dingla and Bamang Aya of VKV Nirjuli finished third. APSACS joint director (IEC) Tashor Pali has stressed that the Red Ribbon Quiz is not merely about winning or losing, but about encouraging youngsters to learn, reflect and carry the knowledge back to their friends and families. “Our aim is to create a chain of information where each student becomes a messenger of awareness,” Pali had said while explaining the broader objective of the initiative at the previous edition of the competition. The competition forms part of APSACS’ continuing efforts to involve young people in HIV/AIDS awareness and turn them into agents of change, particularly in tackling misinformation and the stigma associated with the infection. The Holy Cross duo will now carry Arunachal Pradesh’s hopes to the Northeast Regional Red Ribbon Quiz Competition in Meghalaya.    

YACHULI, SEP 18: A joint awareness-cum-inspection drive was conducted across hotels, restaurants and cafeterias operating along National Highway-13 from Potin to Yachuli on Friday as part of preparations for the upcoming Ziro Festival of Music (ZFM) 2026. The drive was conducted in compliance with the directive of the Keyi Panyor Deputy Commissioner. The inspection team comprised Superintendent, Tax, Excise & Narcotics Takhe Riniyo Nani, Trade Development Officer Tai Arun, Medical Officer Dr Taku Renu and officials from Trade & Commerce and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Keyi Panyor. The team inspected eating places, kitchens, washrooms and surrounding areas of the establishments and verified their Food Safety and Trade Licences. Owners and staff were sensitised on maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation, ensuring fire safety and providing courteous and quality hospitality to visitors. The team also cautioned hoteliers and restaurant owners against storing or selling expired and unsafe food items, highlighting the associated health risks. They were advised to follow proper food-handling practices and ensure that only safe and quality food is served to customers. The district administration has also initiated a coordinated awareness and cleanliness drive along the NH-13 corridor leading towards Ziro Valley in neighbouring Lower Subansiri district ahead of ZFM 2026, scheduled from September 24 to 27. A large number of visitors, including foreign tourists and VIPs, are expected to travel through Potin, Yazali, Yachuli and Joram during the festival period. To further strengthen cleanliness and public participation, a Mass Social Service has been scheduled across the markets of Potin, Yazali, Yachuli and Joram on September 21. The district administration has appealed to business establishments, local communities and the general public to extend their cooperation and contribute towards ensuring a clean, safe and welcoming gateway to Ziro Valley during ZFM 2026.  

ITANAGAR, SEP 17: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) on Thursday felicitated the winners of declamation and painting competitions organised under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar. The competitions were conducted by the Governor’s Secretariat at the initiative of the Governor in support of the nationwide campaign against drug abuse and to promote a healthier and more responsible society. Addressing the gathering, Parnaik described drug abuse as one of the most serious social challenges confronting the nation and said the fight against drugs must become a ‘Jan Andolan’, with families, educational institutions and communities sharing responsibility. The Governor said the Prime Minister has made the fight against drug abuse a national priority and urged the people of Arunachal Pradesh to translate their commitment into action by working towards a drug-free society. Stressing that prevention remains the most effective strategy, Parnaik urged stakeholders to remain alert to early signs of substance abuse. He also advocated the use of technology and intelligence-based monitoring systems to check the movement and distribution of narcotic substances. Calling the competition winners and participants ambassadors of the cause, the Governor urged them to carry the message of a drug-free Arunachal Pradesh across the State and use their voice, creativity and leadership to inspire others. In the painting competition for school students, Master Paktu Dui and Master Prasanjit Das of Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Naharlagun secured the first and second prizes respectively, while Master Subrojit Das of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Chimpu, Itanagar, secured the third prize. In the declamation competition for college and university students, Miss Ephesia Tatung of Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, won the first prize. Miss Sangi Tayang of Jarbom Gamlin Government Law College, Itanagar, and Miss Dorjee Lhamu of Dorjee Khandu Government College, Tawang, secured the second and third prizes respectively. Participation certificates were also presented to all contestants. Institutions participating in the declamation competition included Arunachal Pradesh University, Dera Natung Government College, Binni Yanga Government Women’s College, Jarbom Gamlin Government Law College, Dorjee Khandu Government College, NERIST, Arunachal University, Arunachal University of Studies, Apex Professional University, IGTAMSU and Don Bosco College. Students from Government Higher Secondary School, Polo Colony, Naharlagun; Malo Tarin Government Higher Secondary School, Itanagar; Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2, Itanagar; Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Naharlagun; Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas at Chimpu and Nirjuli; and Don Bosco School, Jollang, participated in the painting competition.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 17: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday joined students, teachers, NCC cadets and officials in a cleanliness drive at Mallo Tarin Government Higher Secondary School, Itanagar, marking the state-level roll-out of Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026. The month-long campaign is being observed under the theme ‘Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’ to promote cleanliness, hygiene and civic responsibility across the State. Addressing the gathering, Khandu urged students to make cleanliness a part of everyday life and carry the habit beyond school campuses to their homes, villages, workplaces and offices. Recalling the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, he said the cleanliness initiative had evolved into a people’s movement. He highlighted improvements in sanitation and hygiene and said government initiatives had helped expand toilet coverage across villages and households in Arunachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister said the month-long campaign would feature around 12 programmes across the State, including district-level art and speech competitions for school students, with district winners progressing to the State level. Seva Aapke Dwar camps will also be organised across all districts to connect villagers with government services and facilities. Khandu appreciated the Waste to Art Park developed at Mallo Tarin GHSS in partnership with KPMG and the students, describing it as an example of how waste materials can be creatively transformed into useful and attractive installations. He stressed the importance of discipline and respect for teachers, parents, elders and support staff, saying that habits developed during school years shape the character and conduct of young people. He also encouraged students to use social media and digital platforms constructively for learning and knowledge acquisition. Highlighting the importance of sports for physical and mental well-being, Khandu referred to Arunachal Pradesh’s sporting achievements and said the State had won more than 1,000 medals at national and international levels over the past decade. He also noted that Arunachal athletes Nyeman Wangsu and Rupa Bayor have been selected to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in Wushu and Taekwondo respectively. The State has also initiated the framework for Mission Olympics through the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. The Chief Minister said the government was creating platforms for young people in academics, sports, entertainment and other fields through initiatives such as Arunachal Got Talent, Mr Arunachal, Miss Arunachal, Arunachal Idol, Battle of Minds and Spelling Bees. Urging students to take the Swachhata pledge seriously, Khandu pointed out that it calls for dedicating 100 hours a year to cleanliness and encouraging 100 others to take the pledge. “Please take the pledge very seriously. Talk about cleanliness with your friends and family so that it becomes part of our lives,” he said. Khandu acknowledged the contributions of the Urban Local Bodies Department, Education Department, officials, Mallo Tarin GHSS, KPMG, NCC personnel and students in making the state-level roll-out of the campaign possible.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 17: A woman working at a post office in Tawang district was arrested for alleged embezzlement of government funds worth Rs 39.25 lakh, police said on Thursday. Acting on a complaint by the postal department, the accused, a multi-tasking staffer of the Tawang Post Office, was taken into custody on September 14, Tawang Superintendent of Police Tasi Darang said. According to the police, Inspector of Post Office (Bomdila Postal Sub Division) H Nilamai Singh filed a written complaint on September 13, stating that a financial verification, conducted at the Tawang Post Office on September 7, unearthed major accounting discrepancies. During the inspection, it was revealed that the woman failed to account for a total of Rs 39.25 lakh as of September 10, the complainant said. “The unaccounted sum included Rs 34.49 lakh collected as Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) premiums between January 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024, which was neither deposited into official accounts nor produced despite repeated reminders,” Singh said in the complaint. An unremitted counter cash amount of Rs 4.75 lakh was found missing, he claimed. “Upon initial questioning by the postal authorities, the accused admitted the shortage and submitted a written undertaking acknowledging that she had misappropriated the public funds,” the complainant said. Based on the complaint, a case was registered at the Tawang Police Station, and investigation was taken up by officer-in-charge N Angu. “The accused was arrested on September 14 after adhering to all legal formalities and has been remanded to police custody. Further investigation into the matter is underway,” the SP added. (Source: PTI)    

PASIGHAT, SEP 17: A 12-member mountaineering team of the Indian Army’s 2 JAT Battalion (Mooltan) successfully scaled 6,889-metre Mt Khangchengyao in North Sikkim on September 15. Led by Major Vatti Chandra Kumar, the team reached the summit at 10:28 am and unfurled the National Tricolour and the JAT Regiment Colour, marking another milestone in the battalion’s mountaineering legacy. The expedition commenced from Rayang in Arunachal Pradesh on August 17. The team underwent systematic acclimatisation at Lachung, Thangu and Giagoan before embarking on the summit attempt. The climbers negotiated rugged terrain, steep slopes, glaciers, extreme cold and low oxygen levels during the ascent. The successful expedition demonstrated the team’s physical endurance, mental resilience and spirit of teamwork in challenging high-altitude conditions. The achievement adds to the rich mountaineering tradition of 2 JAT Battalion, whose mountaineers have earlier scaled several Himalayan peaks, including Mt Jago Kangri (6,550 m) in the Siachen Glacier region, Mt Bandarpunch (6,316 m), Mt Satopanth (7,075 m) and Mt Jogin-I (6,465 m). The successful ascent of Mt Khangchengyao further underlines the battalion’s continued commitment to adventure and high-altitude mountaineering.