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KYIDPHEL : In a bid to promote sustainable livelihoods and enhance farmers’ income, the Tawang District Horticulture Department on Tuesday organised a one-day mushroom cultivation training programme at the Conference Hall of the Assistant Commissioner in Kyidphel under the state government’s Mushroom Mission Initiative. A total of 59 farmers from Kyidphel block participated in the programme, which focused on scientific mushroom cultivation techniques and the commercial potential of mushroom farming. Addressing the participants, Tawang District Horticulture Officer (DHO) Koncho Gyatso outlined the objectives of the Mushroom Mission and urged farmers to adopt scientific cultivation practices. He said mushroom cultivation is a low-investment, high-return enterprise capable of generating sustainable income while improving rural livelihoods. Kyidphel Assistant Commissioner Sange Norbu encouraged farmers to embrace modern agricultural practices to enhance productivity and increase their earnings. He also proposed developing a pilot village for mushroom cultivation, expressing confidence that its success would encourage neighbouring villages to adopt the initiative. Kyidphel Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) Tenzin Monpa said government welfare schemes can achieve their intended objectives only through active public participation. He urged farmers to make full use of the training and government support to adopt scientific farming methods and transform agriculture into a sustainable and profitable livelihood. The technical sessions included practical demonstrations on oyster mushroom cultivation by DHO Koncho Gyatso, covering substrate preparation, spawning, cultivation techniques and harvesting. Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) Lumla Block Coordinator Tenzin Yangzom conducted a session on shiitake mushroom cultivation, highlighting scientific production methods and the commercial prospects of the high-value crop. To facilitate immediate adoption of the technology, mushroom spawn was distributed to all participating farmers, enabling them to begin cultivation in their respective villages. The programme concluded with enthusiastic participation from the farmers, reflecting their growing interest in diversifying agricultural activities and exploring new livelihood opportunities. Officials expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen rural livelihoods, promote self-employment and encourage sustainable agriculture across Kyidphel block. (DIPR)

NEW DELHI : Activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Monday that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike, saying the police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” march has prompted him to extend the fast until youth leaders are allowed to meet parliamentarians or he is permitted to do so from the hospital. In a handwritten statement issued from the Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk said, “Seeing the brutality with which peacefully protesting youth are being dealt with, I have decided to continue my fast until the youth leaders are allowed to meet the parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the hospital.” “Hopefully, the government will fix accountability for the Education Minister before that,” he added. Wangchuk said he is “touched and moved” by the manner in which the protesters have maintained peace despite “provocation”. “I appeal to the government and the police force to resolve the issue by simply allowing the students to present their grievances before Parliament today or tomorrow. I am sure the young protesters will maintain peace tomorrow as they did today,” he said. The Delhi Police prevented the CJP’s proposed march to Parliament, barricading roads around Jantar Mantar and detaining several protesters as thousands gathered despite heavy rain. Earlier in the day, Wangchuk had said he would end his fast only if the government accepts accountability for alleged failures in the education system or if political leaders assure him that the issue would be raised during the Monsoon session of Parliament. However, following the developments during the march, he announced that he would continue the fast. Wangchuk has been at the Safdarjung Hospital since July 18 after he was forcibly shifted there by the Delhi Police following 21 days of fasting. The supporters of the activist have alleged that he is being kept under “illegal detention”, a charge rejected by authorities. The CJP is demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : The Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF), Arunachal Pradesh State Unit, on Monday demanded the immediate removal of the incumbent District Land Revenue & Settlement Officer (DLRSO), Kra-Daadi, from all duties related to the Kamle Hydel Project compensation process. The organisation alleged serious irregularities in the preparation of the list of beneficiaries for compensation under the hydroelectric project. It claimed that the DLRSO had allegedly included several bogus entries in the beneficiary list without the knowledge of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and other concerned officials, while depriving genuine land-affected villagers of their rightful benefits. Expressing concern over the alleged discrepancies, the ACF appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to conduct a thorough scrutiny of the beneficiary lists covering all land-affected areas to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive compensation. The organisation also urged the concerned authorities to appoint a senior and experienced officer to oversee the compensation process, stating that such a step would help ensure transparency, fairness and accountability in the disbursement of compensation to the affected people.    

ITANAGAR : Expressing concern over soaring airfares and limited market competition in the Northeast region, Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national general secretary Tarh Johny has written to Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, urging parliamentary intervention to address the issue. In a representation addressed to Gogoi on Sunday, with copies marked to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Johny highlighted that air travel in the Northeastern states is an “essential necessity” rather than a luxury due to challenging terrain, sparse railway networks, and long road travel durations. Citing instances of alleged fare disparities, the youth leader pointed out that a non-stop 50-minute flight between Imphal and Guwahati was priced at Rs 11,687 on July 18. In contrast, a much longer 2.40 hour non-stop flight from Imphal to New Delhi was available for Rs 10,525 on the same day. “Such fare disparities have caused widespread concern among passengers and deserve careful examination by the authorities concerned,” Johny said in his letter, adding that limited airline options on regional routes further choke affordable travel options for students, patients, businesspersons, and families during emergencies. Highlighting that the issue affects citizens across Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, and Assam, the youth leader requested that Gogoi raise the matter during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The representation called on the Centre to order a comprehensive review of airfare trends by the Civil Aviation Ministry, instruct the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to examine volatile fare spikes, promote airline competition, establish a transparent airfare monitoring mechanism, and frame a long-term policy for equitable regional air connectivity. (Source: PTI)

NAHARLAGUN : Seva Bharati Arunachal Pradesh on Monday held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026 at Seva Dham in Lekhi village, Naharlagun, with members, office bearers and invited guests from across the state participating in the deliberations. The meeting began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by the presentation of the Annual Activity Report for 2025-26 by the General Secretary. The report highlighted the organisation’s initiatives in education, healthcare, yoga, self-reliance, disaster relief, social welfare and community service across Arunachal Pradesh. The President apprised members of the progress made in land acquisition, infrastructure development and construction undertaken during the year. The Treasurer subsequently presented the audited financial report for 2025-26 and the proposed budget for 2026-27, emphasising transparency and accountability in the organisation’s financial management. Members reviewed the organisation’s activities, discussed future programmes and expansion plans, and unanimously adopted several resolutions aimed at strengthening Seva Bharati’s service initiatives across the state. The meeting also featured guidance from Assam Kshetra Sah Seva Pramukh Surendra Sudhakarrao Kulkarni, who appreciated the organisation’s humanitarian work in Arunachal Pradesh and encouraged volunteers to continue serving society with commitment, discipline and compassion. In his presidential address, the President thanked donors, volunteers, office bearers and well-wishers for their continued support and stressed the importance of collective efforts in expanding humanitarian services to reach the most vulnerable sections of society. The members also finalised the schedule for the next Annual General Meeting before the programme concluded with a vote of thanks. The meeting reaffirmed Seva Bharati Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to its mission of ‘Service to Humanity’ and its resolve to further strengthen welfare and development initiatives across the state.