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Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT, SEP 13: Ponung Nangkar, Contestant No. 8, was crowned the 28th Miss Lune 2026 at the grand finale of the pageant held at Gi Notko, Pasighat, as part of the Central Solung Festival Celebration. Nangkar also won the Best Costume title. Api Tatin, Contestant No. 10, was declared the first runner-up and won the Miss Catwalk title, while Augusty Taggu, Contestant No. 15, secured the second runner-up position and was adjudged Miss Talent. The other subtitle winners were Ainam Tatin, Contestant No. 5, Miss Congeniality; Runima Pertin, Contestant No. 6, Miss Personality; and Ponung Eko, Contestant No. 7, Miss Popular. The winner received a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, while the first and second runners-up received ₹50,000 and ₹30,000, respectively. Central Solung Festival Celebration Committee (CSFCC) 2026 president Jorsing Moyong expressed gratitude to the chief guest, guest of honour, judges, sponsors and supporters. He urged the audience to encourage the contestants, noting that the participants had come forward not merely to showcase beauty but also their talent, confidence, personality and individuality. The finale was attended by chief guest Dui Gao and guest of honour Binaymoti Modi, vice-principal of Higher Secondary Mebo. The judging panel comprised Er. Mari Ete of the Greater Siang Committee, Miss Pura Sumpi, reigning Miss Universe Arunachal 2025, and Kime Ana Lingu, reigning Mrs Arunachal 4th Runner-Up 2025. The programme featured Traditional, Formal, Casual and Gown rounds, besides a fitness presentation by the East Siang Body Building Association, musical performances and felicitation of guests and sponsors. A special cultural element of the event was the display of images conceptualised by Aroti Jongkey, depicting elements of Adi mythology and folktales. The initiative added a cultural dimension to the pageant by connecting the celebration of young talent with the community’s traditional stories and heritage. Addressing the contestants, Dui Gao encouraged them to value the experience of participating in the competition, observing that not everyone could emerge a winner but participation itself offered opportunities to learn, build confidence and gain valuable experience. She also advised the contestants to give equal importance to education and academic pursuits. Binaymoti Modi echoed the importance of education and urged the young participants to remain focused on their studies while pursuing their interests and talents.    

Makam Tayeng PASIGHAT, SEP 13: A 5.5-km timed mini marathon themed “Run for Vande Mataram” was organised in Pasighat on Sunday to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram and promote patriotism, fitness, discipline and a healthy lifestyle, particularly among the youth. Organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), the run began at Gandhi Chowk and culminated at the APU campus, drawing a large number of participants. Speaking as the chief guest, BJP State President Kaling Moyong said the event was not merely a sporting activity but also an opportunity to remember the spirit of the freedom struggle and the sacrifices made during the country’s journey. He said the 150-year journey of Vande Mataram should inspire the younger generation to understand the nation’s history while taking pride in India’s progress and achievements. “Today, we are not only remembering our history but also celebrating the progress of Bharat. We are becoming manufacturers and giving technology to the world. This stage belongs to Bharat,” Moyong said. Appreciating the enthusiastic participation, Moyong stressed that physical fitness was essential for building a healthy and productive society. He urged young people to stay away from harmful and addictive substances and focus instead on sports, education, fitness and other constructive pursuits. “Hum Fit Hain Toh India Fit Hai,” he said, emphasising that a physically active and healthy population contributes to a stronger nation. The mini marathon featured separate male and female categories, with cash prizes for the top three finishers and consolation prizes in both categories. Marathon T-shirts were distributed to the first 100 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The event combined the spirit of patriotism with the promotion of fitness and encouraged participants to celebrate the country’s heritage while adopting a healthy, disciplined and responsible lifestyle.  

PASIGHAT, SEP 13: Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), Pasighat, organised a 5.5-km mini marathon, ‘Run for Vande Mataram @ 150 (VM150)’, on Sunday as part of its month-long celebration marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. The programme is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Organised by the Department of Mass Communication as a prelude to the three-day grand finale scheduled from October 7 to 9, the run aimed to promote patriotism, physical fitness and social responsibility. The marathon was flagged off at 5.45 am from Gandhi Chowk by BJP Arunachal Pradesh State President Kaling Moyong and culminated at the main entrance of APU. Despite light drizzle, 209 male and female runners from across East Siang district participated enthusiastically. In the male category, BIB Nos. 76, 37 and 91 secured the first, second and third positions respectively, while BIB Nos. 92, 177 and 216 emerged as the top three finishers in the female category. Addressing the participants, Kaling Moyong recalled the historic role of Vande Mataram in India’s freedom struggle and paid tribute to the sacrifices of freedom fighters. He said the song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, continued to inspire nation-building. Moyong emphasised the need to harness the country’s youth power to transform India from a consumer-driven economy into a producer-driven and self-reliant nation, guided by the spirit of Vande Mataram. APU Registrar Narmi Darang stressed the importance of physical fitness in building a healthy nation and reiterated the university’s commitment to promoting sports and wellness among students and faculty. He urged participants to make fitness a daily habit and invited them to join the ‘Swachh Nadi, Swachh Bharat’ River Cleanliness Drive at Siang on September 19 under the VM150 celebrations. The flag-off ceremony was attended by APU Dean Academics Prof. P.C. Jena, heads of departments, faculty members, staff, scholars and students, besides representatives of the BJP and Pasighat civic bodies. The event was organised in collaboration with Itanagar-based NGO Trigonometry. Its members, including Nun Pertin and Prem Camdir, encouraged young people to embrace fitness, discipline and community service. Marathon Committee chairman Dr Yab Rajiv Camdir said cash prizes for the winners would be presented on October 7 during the main VM150 function, while all participants who completed the race would receive e-certificates. VM150 Celebrations-APU convenor Dr Kombong Darang thanked the chief guest, district administration, Pasighat Press Club, university administration, volunteers, Trigonometry and participants for their support. He said the celebrations would continue with a river-cleanup drive, a national seminar on ‘Vande Mataram: Cultural, Historical and National Perspectives’, cultural performances, art and craft and photography exhibitions, an ‘Ek Ped Ek Bharat’ plantation drive and outreach programmes across East Siang, culminating in the grand finale from October 7 to 9.      

NAMSAI, SEP 12: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Saturday assured the state government’s full cooperation and support for the timely and smooth implementation of the 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project Narender Kumar, Executive Director of the project, along with other officials, called on Mein at his residence here and discussed key issues concerning the execution of the mega project. The discussions covered land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R), mobile connectivity, local security, infrastructure development and power requirements, Mein said in a social media post. He said the Dibang Multipurpose Project was of immense strategic and developmental importance to Arunachal Pradesh and would significantly augment the state’s power generation capacity while contributing to its socio-economic growth. Mein assured Kumar that the state government would extend all necessary support and facilitate coordination among stakeholders to address the issues involved and ensure the successful and timely completion of the project. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to expediting the execution of the landmark project.  

PASIGHAT, SEP 12: Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), Pasighat, hosted a series of literary and fine arts competitions on Saturday as part of the month-long Vande Mataram @ 150 (VM150) celebrations sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Organised by the Department of Mass Communication, the competitions marked the prelude to the three-day national celebration scheduled at the APU campus from October 7 to 9. The main event will be inaugurated by the Union Minister of Culture. Around 160 students from across East Siang district participated in four competitions—Painting and Poster Making, Essay Writing, Poetry Writing and Vande Mataram Singing—in Junior and Senior categories. Students from Jawaharlal Nehru College, APU, North East Institute of Ayurveda and Folk Medicine Research, Daying Ering College of Teacher Education and Government Polytechnic College Pasighat, besides students from several schools in the district, took part in the competitions. Painting and Poster Making recorded 37 participants, Essay Writing 63, Poetry Writing 40 and Vande Mataram Singing 20 participants. The competitions focused on themes linking the national narrative with Arunachal Pradesh’s frontier experience, including the legacy and relevance of Vande Mataram, unsung heroes of the state’s freedom struggle, the meaning of the motherland, frontier landscape, national integration and tribal identity. Speaking on the occasion, Vande Mataram @ 150 convener Dr Prem Taba said Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, was not merely a song but the “soul of India’s freedom movement”. He said the VM150 initiative aimed to provide youths a platform to engage with history, culture and national identity and reflect on the idea of the motherland from the perspective of Arunachal Pradesh. Taba said the competitions carry cash prizes and certificates, with results to be announced during the inaugural ceremony on October 7. He added that the celebrations would continue with community-oriented programmes, including a 5.5-km ‘Run for Vande Mataram’ mini marathon from Gandhi Chowk to APU on September 13, to be flagged off by BJP Arunachal Pradesh State President Kaling Moyong, followed by a river cleanup drive on the Siang on September 19, a national seminar, cultural programmes, exhibitions and community outreach activities ahead of the October 7-9 grand finale. APU Registrar Narmi Darang, Dean Academics Prof PC Jena, Assistant Registrar (Academics) Likha Rinchin, heads of departments, faculty members, research scholars and students attended the programme.    

ZIRO, SEP 12: With the Ziro Festival of Music (ZFM) 2026 scheduled from September 24 to 27, the district administration held a preparatory meeting with local homestay owners at the Mini Secretariat Building here on Saturday to coordinate arrangements for the expected influx of visitors. Chairing the meeting, Ziro Sub-Divisional Officer Hage Tarung underscored the role of homestay hosts in shaping visitors’ experience and Ziro’s reputation as a tourist destination. He stressed the need to maintain hygiene, parking and fire-safety standards and urged hosts to be patient and considerate towards guests returning late from festival venues. Tarung also suggested that homestays create dedicated spaces to showcase and sell authentic Apatani handloom and handicrafts, enabling visitors to experience the local culture while generating additional income for local artisans. In-charge District Tourism Officer Khoda Yakang Millo emphasised sustainable tourism practices, particularly the reduction of single-use plastics, in line with the goal of making Ziro a “Zero Waste Ziro”. She also advised homestay owners to maintain proper guest registers, submit Tourist Arrival Reports on time and ensure timely filing of Form-C for foreign visitors through the police department. Owners were further reminded to keep first-aid kits stocked and emergency contact numbers prominently displayed. Millo highlighted the achievement of Lempia Ude Homestay, whose owner Rubu Ampi shared her practical hospitality practices that helped the property secure the government’s top Diamond Category rating. District Art and Culture Officer Tapi Rimu, Trade Development Officer Tai Arun and officials from various departments also attended the meeting. The meeting concluded with officials and homestay owners resolving to work together to provide visitors with a safe, welcoming and memorable festival experience while preserving Ziro’s environment and cultural heritage. (DIPR)