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ITANAGAR, SEP 10: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said his administration was working to improve the quality of government schools. He said a task force has been constituted for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Khandu was speaking at the state-level golden jubilee meritorious students’ awards ceremony here, where he felicitated 30 toppers from classes 3 to 12 for the academic session 2024-25. “The government is laying more focus on ensuring proper infrastructure and adequate teachers,” the chief minister said, adding that substantial recruitment of subject teachers through the State Public Service Commission had already been undertaken. He also welcomed the rise in enrolment in government schools in the state in recent years, describing it as encouraging at a time when declining enrolment in government schools is a challenge across the country. Around 840 students received the meritorious student award at various district levels. Congratulating the achievers, the chief minister urged them to remain disciplined, focused and committed to excellence. He also appreciated the support extended by parents, families, teachers and friends in the students’ academic journey. Referring to the state’s tribal traditions, he urged students to preserve the culture of respecting parents, elders and teachers. He also stressed the importance of sports alongside academics, saying physical activities were essential for the overall development of young people. There are playgrounds in government schools across the state, he said. Khandu said the government was creating multiple employment avenues for the youth in both government and private sectors, besides laying stress on entrepreneurship. The chief minister also encouraged the state’s youth to join the armed forces as officers. He said the state’s first Sainik School had been established at Pasighat, while the second was coming up at Tawang. The chief minister said the government was also working with the Army to establish a structured coaching mechanism for selected Arunachal students to prepare for NDA and CDS examinations. Sharing his personal experience, Khandu said he was himself a product of the government school system and understood its challenges. He recalled studying at Government Gompa Middle School in Tawang and being part of its first batch after the institute was upgraded to a secondary school. (Source: CMO Media Cell/PTI)    

RUKSIN, SEP 10: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Thursday called for concerted efforts to preserve indigenous languages, oral traditions and cultural heritage while ensuring that development remains rooted in the identity and way of life of local communities. Mein was speaking at the first-ever Leyi Banggo Central SolungGiidi Celebration-2026 at the GPS General Playground (Leyi Banggo Dolung Akngo) under Ruksin Circle in East Siang district. The celebration brought together community elders, leaders, youth and cultural practitioners to showcase the traditions, music, dance, oral literature and collective heritage of the Leyi Banggo community. Mein said modernisation and globalisation had opened new opportunities, but communities must remain connected to their roots. He stressed the need to document indigenous languages, oral literature, traditional knowledge, songs, stories and cultural practices using modern technology for the benefit of future generations. “Globalisation has taught us many things, but it has not taught us our traditions. We should never lose our spirit and our roots,” he said. The Deputy Chief Minister suggested creating additional teachers’ posts, if required, for teaching local dialects and promoting indigenous languages. He also called for audio-visual archives of indigenous systems, songs, stories, oral literature and traditional knowledge, including traditional healing practices, to prevent valuable knowledge accumulated over generations from being lost. Mein urged the younger generation to take a leading role in cultural preservation, appreciating local youth for producing music, videos and other creative works. He said modern digital platforms could be effectively used to preserve and promote indigenous heritage. Emphasising that culture must remain an integral part of development, Mein said, “Development cannot be achieved through infrastructure alone. We also need to preserve and promote our culture. Culture is our way of living, and our development must preserve our way of life and identity.” He said Arunachal Pradesh’s journey towards becoming a developed State, as well as India’s development journey, must remain inclusive of all communities, languages and cultural identities. Mein also stressed the need to maintain cordial relations with neighbouring communities and States, noting that neighbours cannot be changed and peaceful relations must therefore be maintained. He highlighted the long-standing cultural, social, economic and matrimonial ties between communities in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Urging responsible use of social media, he said it should not become a platform for quarrels, disputes or personal attacks, but should instead promote healthy dialogue, mutual respect, understanding and constructive exchange of ideas. Mein assured the people of Leyi Banggo that their demand for creation of a separate administrative circle covering five villages—Depi, Moli, Detak, Debing and Poplung—would be looked into and placed before the State Cabinet for consideration. He extended greetings to the people of Leyi Banggo and all those celebrating Solung, expressing hope that the event would develop into an enduring platform for cultural preservation, community unity and intergenerational transmission of indigenous traditions. The celebration was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing, Eastern Parliamentary Constituency MP Tapir Gao, West Pasighat MLA Ninong Ering, Nari-Koyu MLA Tojir Kadu, East Pasighat MLA Tapi Darang, BJP State President Kaling Moyong, All Bogong Kebang (ABK) President Tanon Tatak, former MLA Tatung Jamoh, Zilla Parishad Chairpersons of East Siang and Lower Siang, and others. The day-long celebration featured traditional and cultural presentations, including Nene-Ponung by Ponung Mimum, performances by Kenna-Tarem and her troupe, and performances by singers Mary Dalbong and Dev Taid, among others.  

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, SEP 10: The Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project (RHEP) MoU Demand Committee (RMDC) has served a 30-day ultimatum to the state government and NEEPCO Ltd to fulfil its charter of demands, including implementation of the Local Area Development Fund (LADF) and 100 percent Group C and D employment for eligible local youths, particularly project-affected families (PAFs). Addressing media persons at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here on Thursday, RMDC chairman Taba Techi expressed concern over the alleged non-implementation of provisions of the National Hydro Power Policy (NHPP), 2007 and the State Hydro Power Policy (SHPP), 2008. He said the PAFs of the 405 MW Panyor Lower Hydro Electric Project (PLHPS), formerly known as the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project, have been deprived of their legitimate rights due to the alleged non-implementation of key policy provisions. Techi said the committee has repeatedly submitted representations to the state government and the project authorities over its 13-point charter of demands, of which only three demands have been fulfilled, while several major issues remain pending. The pending demands include reconstitution of the Local Area Development Committee (LADC) and appointment of genuine PAF members to key positions in the committee to prevent political interference. The committee has also demanded formal signing of the project MoU on par with contemporary state power projects, devolution of one percent free power allocation for LADF from NEEPCO Ltd, implementation of the revised rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package, and execution of recommendations of the joint survey and R&R proceedings. It further demanded strict adherence to 100 percent local recruitment for Group C and D posts, with priority to PAF youths over external labour contractors. The RMDC also sought mandatory implementation of CSR-CD schemes strictly within project-affected areas through the designated local oversight committee, removal of non-affected villages allegedly included in the Papum Pare segment of the PLHPS affected-area list, and implementation of a uniform LADF policy across hydro projects in the state. Techi also raised concern over what he termed as a lack of parity in LADF implementation among hydro power projects in the state. He claimed that while other commissioned hydro projects are utilising 100 percent of LADF funds directly in project-affected areas under the revised state policy, the 405 MW PLHPS continues to be subjected to an outdated split-allocation system, including in relation to the one percent State Matching Share. “This systematic non-parity discriminates against the land donors of the state’s first mega hydro power project,” he claimed. The RMDC has warned that if the state government and NEEPCO Ltd fail to provide a satisfactory response and initiate concrete administrative measures within 30 days, it would be compelled to launch democratic movements to pursue the rights of project-affected families. The committee said the ultimatum has been served in the interest of justice and equality for the PAFs.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 10: The North-East Regional Centre (NERC) of the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GB Pant NIHE) celebrated its Annual Day 2026 at Poma Hall, DK Convention Centre, Itanagar, on Thursday, along with the 13th Pt Govind Ballabh Pant Popular Lecture. The annual lecture series, held around the Institute’s Foundation Day, commemorates the legacy of Bharat Ratna Pt Govind Ballabh Pant through scientific discourse and engagement with Himalayan communities. Regional Head of GB Pant NIHE-NERC Dr Paromita Ghosh delivered the welcome address and briefed the gathering on the Institute’s activities. The 13th Popular Lecture was delivered by Rajiv Gandhi University Professor and former Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences Prof Santanu Kumar Patnaik on the theme, “From Pixels to Policy: Remote Sensing & GIS as a Bridge Between Science and Community in the North-Eastern Himalaya.” Patnaik highlighted the potential of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies in addressing environmental and developmental challenges in the Himalayan region. He discussed their applications in water security, landslide hazard assessment, land-use change, shifting cultivation, biodiversity conservation and climate-resilient planning. He emphasised the need to translate scientific information derived from satellite data and geospatial technologies into practical solutions for communities and policymakers, while strengthening the link between scientific research, policy formulation and community-level action. The programme was attended by scientists, academicians, government officials and representatives of various organisations. Special guests included Botanical Survey of India Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre Head Dr Krishna Chowlu, Zoological Survey of India scientist Dr Ilona J Kharkongor, Himalayan University Dean Dr Raja Hussain and Geological Survey of India Director Parminder Singh Sethi. GSI Itanagar Deputy Director General Dr Rajesh Kumar Naik, the Guest of Honour, also addressed the gathering. State Forest Research Institute Director HB Abo, the Chief Guest, appreciated the Institute’s efforts to strengthen Himalayan environmental research and its interface with society. The programme also featured the release of a book on beekeeping, presentation of mementoes to the speaker and dignitaries, recognition of the Performer of the Year from NERC and a cultural programme. GB Pant NIHE-NERC Scientist Dr Wishfully Mylliemngap proposed the vote of thanks. The celebration reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to environmental research, conservation, sustainable development and strengthening the science-community interface in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.    

RONO HILLS, SEP 10: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organised the Youth Festival–Red Run 5 Km Mini Marathon-2026 under the banner of its Red Ribbon Club and National Service Scheme (NSS) Cell, in association with the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, drug-abuse prevention and healthy lifestyles among the youth. More than 100 RGU students and NSS volunteers participated in the run, highlighting the university’s focus on health, fitness and social responsibility. The programme began with a welcome address by RGU Assistant Professor Dr Avicha Tangjang, followed by the felicitation of dignitaries. The mini marathon was flagged off by RGU Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) Prof SK Nayak, who urged young people to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, stay away from drug abuse and adopt healthy habits while prioritising their physical and mental well-being. The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony. Winners in the boys’ and girls’ categories received medals and certificates, while other participants were given participation certificates. Institutional-level winners will be eligible to participate in State, Regional and National-level competitions, as applicable. In the boys’ category, Lanzi Elo of the Department of Sociology secured first place, followed by Arjun Chetry of the Department of History and Kaling Apung of the Department of Hindi. In the girls’ category, Joti Mane of the Department of Physical Education stood first, followed by Nasili of the Department of Political Science and Meena Ragyor of the Department of Agricultural Entomology. The programme was attended by senior faculty members and university officials, including Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences Prof Sambhu Prasad, Deputy Registrar (Bill/DDO) of IISYD Gomar Basar, Assistant Professors Dr Vivek Kumar Singh and Dr Bhaskar Jyoti Chutia, and Dr Tage Monju, Organising Secretary.