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LAZU, SEP 17: An awareness programme on “Illicit Opium Poppy Cultivation and Drug Abuse” was organised at Lazu Inspection Bungalow on Thursday under the aegis of Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat, with the District Administration, Tirap, collaborating with the District Level Narcotics Coordination Committee (NCORD). Assistant Commissioner of Tax, Excise and Narcotics Monika Lowang, while welcoming the gathering, highlighted the department’s efforts to curb illicit opium cultivation in the district. She said awareness programmes are being conducted every Saturday to reach out to local communities. Referring to Lazu’s past association with poppy cultivation, she expressed hope that collective efforts would help the area move towards more sustainable and positive livelihoods. A recovered addict from Care Me Home De-Addiction Centre shared his experience of overcoming addiction and rebuilding his life through rehabilitation. Now working as an activist, he urged people, particularly the youth, to avoid the path of substance abuse. Advocate Najen Rangwang, ZPM Lazu; Nanhang Phuksa, ZPM Tutnu; and AOWA president Wanggo Lowang highlighted the impact of drug abuse on families and communities. They called for continued support from the district administration, police and line departments, particularly in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and ensuring better market access for local produce as alternatives to opium cultivation. District Horticulture Officer Tagom Ronya suggested alternatives including mithun rearing, fish farming and commercial agriculture, and assured villagers of departmental support in adopting sustainable livelihood options. Deputy Superintendent of Police Padi Payang highlighted the legal consequences of drug-related activities under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He cautioned that illicit opium cultivation can contribute to a wider cycle of addiction and substance abuse. Addressing the gathering, Tirap Deputy Commissioner Badonlum Tawsik stressed that combating drug abuse requires sustained community participation. He urged villagers to take responsibility at the grassroots level by identifying and discouraging drug peddling in their areas and emphasised the need to protect the younger generation from addiction. Tawsik assured the gathering that the district administration would continue to extend all possible support towards reducing illicit poppy cultivation and addressing drug abuse in the region. Assistant Commissioner Lazu NL Naam and Tirap DIPRO Ponung Tasing also attended the programme. Village chiefs, Gaon Burahs, PRI members, students, youths and local residents participated in the programme, reflecting the community’s collective resolve to address drug abuse and illicit opium cultivation. (DIPR)  

PASIGHAT, SEP 17: The first-ever Hindi Pakhwada at Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), Pasighat, concluded on Thursday with a cultural evening titled ‘Sanskritik Sandhya: Abhivyakti Ka Utsav’, marking the culmination of a fortnight-long celebration of Hindi literature, creativity and cultural expression. Organised by the Department of Hindi from September 1 to 17, the Pakhwada was the department’s first major initiative since its establishment in August 2025. The department currently offers M.A. and Ph.D. programmes in Hindi. The valedictory programme featured literature, theatre, music and dance, with students of the Department of Hindi staging Bhartendu Harishchandra’s celebrated satirical play ‘Andher Nagari’ as the highlight. The performance was followed by musical and dance presentations by students. Addressing the gathering, APU Registrar Narmi Darang appreciated the Department of Hindi for the initiative and lauded the enthusiastic participation of students, faculty and staff. He said academic, literary and cultural activities contribute to a vibrant academic environment and highlighted the role of language and literature in fostering creativity, communication and cultural understanding. Earlier, Head of the Department of Hindi Dr Ing Perme highlighted the significance of Hindi Diwas and described the university’s maiden Hindi Pakhwada as a meaningful beginning towards building a tradition of dialogue, literature and cultural engagement at APU. She also thanked the university community for its active participation. As part of the Pakhwada, a one-day workshop-cum-employment awareness programme on ‘Employment Opportunities and Prospects for Students of Hindi’ was organised on September 8 to familiarise students with academic and professional avenues in the field. Essay writing, self-composed poetry, extempore speech and poetry recitation competitions were also held, with poetry recitation conducted separately for students, teaching faculty and non-teaching staff. The programme was coordinated by Assistant Professor Dr Linu Ronya, who proposed the vote of thanks and acknowledged the contributions of the university administration, faculty members, officers, staff, research scholars and students. The organising team included Assistant Professors (Guest) Dr Aseng Apum, Nanang Yirang and Om Jong Tangha, along with Dakjum Ete. The valedictory function was attended by teaching faculty, administrative officers, non-teaching staff, research scholars and students.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 17: Education minister PD Sona on Thursday stressed the need to go beyond academic learning and give equal importance to values and emotional development of children, saying education must help nurture compassionate and responsible individuals. Inaugurating a three-day workshop on social, emotional and ethical (SEE) learning in Tawang district, the education and tourism minister stressed the need to go beyond academic learning and give equal importance to values and emotional development of children, saying education must help nurture compassionate and responsible individuals. The workshop is being organised by the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA) in collaboration with the Thupten Shedrupling Foundation, with a focus on integrating social, emotional and ethical values with academic learning, an official statement said. The minister said the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) had worked for nearly one-and-a-half years to develop a curriculum centred on moral values for students of classes 3 to 5, which has been introduced from the current academic session. He suggested that experts from DoKAA collaborate with SCERT to further enrich and fine-tune the curriculum. Referring to the message delivered by keynote speaker Geshe Lhakdor, director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), Dharamshala, Sona said compassion should extend beyond fellow human beings to the environment and all forms of life. He observed that environmental degradation, disasters and destruction caused by reckless human activities should not always be viewed simply as acts of nature when they are consequences of human actions. SEE learning, he said, could play an important role in nurturing compassion, responsible behaviour and greater sensitivity towards society and the environment among young learners. Delivering the keynote address on ‘Educating the Heart and Mind for Quality Education’, Lhakdor underlined the transformative role of education in creating a peaceful and compassionate society. He said human beings have the unique ability to communicate through language and dialogue and should therefore seek to resolve differences and misunderstandings through meaningful communication. Despite possessing intelligence, knowledge and advanced capabilities, humanity at times uses these strengths in destructive ways, Lhakdor observed. Lead facilitator Reshma Piramal gave an overview of the SEE learning framework and the state roadmap, familiarising participants with its approach and objectives. Earlier, DoKAA director Thupten Kalden highlighted the growing relevance of SEE learning in the contemporary educational environment and welcomed the dignitaries, resource persons and participants. The workshop is aimed at helping educators deepen their understanding of SEE learning and explore practical approaches to creating compassionate, responsible, inclusive and value-based learning environments in schools. The programme emphasised that education should focus not only on intellectual development but also on nurturing compassionate hearts, ethical awareness, responsible behaviour and sensitivity towards society and the environment. (Source: PTI)    

RONO HILLS, SEP 17: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) on Thursday conducted the induction-cum-oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office bearers of the Rajiv Gandhi University Students’ Union (RGUSU) for the 2026–27 academic session at the university’s Mini Auditorium. The ceremony formally inducted the newly elected student representatives who will serve the student community during the academic session. The programme commenced with the University Song and was attended by RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof Shivraj, Registrar Dr N T Rikam, Dean of Students’ Welfare Prof N N Hina, Chief Election Commissioner Dr Anil Mili, Returning Officer Dr N T Jose, senior university officials, members of the RGUSU Election Committee, faculty members, staff, outgoing office bearers and students. In her welcome address, Prof N N Hina highlighted the significance of the occasion. Chief Election Commissioner Dr Anil Mili subsequently announced the newly elected executive members of the RGUSU for 2026–27. Newly elected RGUSU President Logio Tatung Bamang and his team took the oath, pledging to discharge their responsibilities with sincerity and dedication, uphold the dignity and discipline of the university, and work for the welfare of students. The outgoing RGUSU President Daniel John Kholie and his team were acknowledged for their contributions and service to the university and student community during their tenure. Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof Shivraj extended his best wishes to the new team and urged them to work responsibly and constructively for the welfare of students and the university. Registrar Dr N T Rikam also congratulated the newly elected office bearers and encouraged them to bring genuine student issues and concerns before the university administration for consideration and necessary action. The newly elected team expressed its commitment to working collectively for student welfare and contributing positively to the academic and campus life of the university.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 17: The Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APBB) organised a one-day Orientation-cum-Capacity Building Programme for reconstituted Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, as amended in 2023, in Itanagar on Thursday. The programme was inaugurated by APBB Chairman Hawa Bagang in the presence of Member Secretary HB Abo. More than 35 BMC representatives, including chairpersons and members from West Siang, Siang, Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare and West Kameng districts, along with officials and other stakeholders, participated. In his inaugural address, Bagang highlighted the role of BMCs as the foundation of grassroots biodiversity governance and stressed the importance of community participation in conserving forests, rivers, medicinal plants and traditional knowledge. Abo said the Board was committed to strengthening BMCs across the State through continuous capacity building, technical guidance and institutional support. He said the APBB was working towards operationalising key provisions of the amended Act, including Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and Certificate of Origin, through the Arunachal Pradesh Biological Diversity Rules. The technical sessions covered the objectives and major amendments of the Biological Diversity Act, ABS, Biodiversity Heritage Sites, traditional knowledge, exemptions, Certificate of Origin and enforcement mechanisms. APBB Research Officer Dr Bamin Yakang delivered a detailed presentation on these provisions. Dr Vikram Delu, Scientist, Zoological Survey of India, Itanagar Regional Centre, explained the roles and responsibilities of BMCs and stressed the importance of structured People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and proper documentation. He also shared practices followed in other states relating to biodiversity-related activities and necessary clearances. Jaya Kumari of the Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme (BSIP-VI), National Biodiversity Authority, explained the significance of PBRs as community-based records of local biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. APBB Technical Assistant Guchi Sonia demonstrated the ABS End-to-End Portal, explaining digital processes for data integration, BMC registration and management of biodiversity-related information. During an interactive session, BMC members raised queries on ABS, Biodiversity Heritage Sites, Local Biodiversity Funds, Certificate of Origin and implementation of the amended Act in Arunachal Pradesh. APBB officials clarified the provisions and encouraged BMCs to work closely with the Board for effective implementation of biodiversity conservation initiatives. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by APBB Technical Assistant Dusu Rila, who expressed gratitude to the resource persons, participants and stakeholders and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to strengthening grassroots biodiversity governance in the State.