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ITANAGAR, AUG 16: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) and First Lady Anagha Parnaik attended the Independence Day ‘At Home’ reception hosted by Chief Minister Pema Khandu at his official residence at Niti Vihar here on Saturday. The Governor and the First Lady exchanged Independence Day greetings with the Chief Minister, distinguished guests and invitees, highlighting the shared commitment towards nation-building, unity and progress. The reception featured a cultural programme by local artists showcasing Arunachal Pradesh’s rich traditions and artistic heritage. Patriotic songs were performed by Pakngam Lombi and Runka Cheda, while artistes of CK Bliss presented ‘Thillana in Ragam Hindolam’ in the Bharatanatyam repertoire. The Arunachal Symphony by CK Bliss added to the musical presentation. Members of Parliament and the State Legislative Assembly, chairpersons of autonomous bodies, community leaders and people from diverse backgrounds attended the reception, which reflected the spirit of unity in diversity and the collective celebration of India’s Independence.    

DAPORIJO, AUG 16: A district-level development meeting was held at Daporijo to review ongoing developmental activities, implementation of government schemes and key infrastructure and public service issues in Upper Subansiri district. Senior district officers and representatives of various line departments participated in the department-wise review. Presentations were made by the Urban Development and Housing Department, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Water Resources Department (WRD), Public Works Department (PWD), Rural Works Department (RWD), Power, Hydropower, Horticulture, Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Industries, Education and Health departments. The departments apprised the meeting of the status of ongoing works and schemes, physical progress, pending issues, field-level challenges and areas requiring inter-departmental coordination. Discussions focused on identifying bottlenecks, ensuring timely completion of sanctioned works and strengthening monitoring at the field level. The DC stressed the need for stronger coordination among departments and outcome-oriented implementation to ensure that government schemes and development projects deliver tangible benefits to the public. Officers were directed to address implementation-related issues proactively and maintain close coordination with the district administration to expedite pending matters. Sector-specific priorities relating to road connectivity, water supply, power, rural development, agriculture and allied activities, education, healthcare and industrial development were also discussed. Suggestions from Panchayati Raj representatives and other stakeholders were taken into consideration to incorporate grassroots concerns into district development planning. Daporijo MLA Taniya Soki appreciated the initiative and emphasised close coordination among elected representatives, the District Administration and line departments. He called for timely execution and regular field-level monitoring of developmental works to ensure tangible benefits for people at the grassroots. He assured continued support towards strengthening development and public service delivery in the constituency and district. The DC reiterated that sustained development of Upper Subansiri requires collective ownership, coordinated action and regular monitoring. All departments were urged to address bottlenecks proactively and implement development programmes and projects in a time-bound manner. The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and pursue the identified development priorities in the larger interest of the people. (DIPR)

PASIGHAT, AUG 16: The District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) 2026–27 of East Siang district was formally released on Saturday during the 80th Independence Day celebration at the Outdoor Stadium here. The plan was released by MLA Tapi Darang during the inauguration of the Disaster Management Exhibition Stall. Deputy Commissioner East Siang, Superintendent of Police East Siang, Padma Shri awardee Yanong Jamoh Lego, Heads of Departments and Offices, public leaders, Panchayati Raj Institution members and other dignitaries attended the programme. The release marks a significant step towards strengthening disaster preparedness and institutional capacity in the district. The DDMP provides a framework for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery, with emphasis on coordinated action among departments and stakeholders during emergencies. The plan is expected to further strengthen the district’s capacity to respond to natural and other disasters and promote a coordinated and resilient approach to disaster management. The occasion reaffirmed the collective commitment of the district administration and stakeholders towards building a safer and more disaster-resilient East Siang. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR, AUG 15: Five Army personnel went missing after a flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall washed away two shelters in Dibang Valley district, while four people died in a major landslide on a road construction site in Upper Subansiri district, officials said on Saturday. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre here, both incidents occurred on Friday evening. The landslide occurred at the Keojaring-Byaching road cutting site in Upper Subansiri district. While several people were buried under the debris, four people — Tadu Baki, Taji Rai, Markosh Basumatari and Babul Ali — were reported dead in the incident. The body of Babul Ali has been recovered, said the district disaster management officer of Upper Subansiri. Persnnel from Nacho Police Station have been deployed for the search and recovery operation. Fire and Emergency Services personnel are also being mobilised from Daporijo, while a team of the State Disaster Response Force will assist in the operation. In Dibang Valley district, two shelters of the 5th Grenadier at the Pasu Pani Army Camp were washed away by a flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall on Friday evening. Officials said that the flash flood swept away seven Army personnel and two of them were rescued, while five remain missing. The missing personnel have been identified as Havaldar Upendar and Army personnel Kundan, Vinod, Aditya and Samunda. Two search and rescue teams from the 5th Grenadier have already been deployed. Teams comprising personnel of the 58th Battalion of the ITBP, 62 RCC of the General Reserve Engineer Force, local volunteers and the Arunachal Pradesh Police have been rushed to the site for the search operation. An SDRF team from Pasighat is also proceeding to Anini to assist in the rescue operation. (Source: PTI)      

NAMSAI, AUG 15: The Tai Khamti Heritage Archive website was launched at the Multipurpose Cultural Hall here on Saturday by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, marking a significant step towards digitally preserving and promoting the linguistic, literary and cultural heritage of the Tai Khamti community. Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering, Commissioner of Narcotics, Tax and Excise CR Khampa, Superintendent of Police, Namsai, representatives of community-based organisations, Gaon Burahs, monks, student organisations and other dignitaries attended the launch. The digital archive seeks to preserve oral traditions, traditional knowledge, photographs, manuscripts, scripts, language, customs and other cultural resources of the Tai Khamti community, while making them accessible for education, research and knowledge sharing. Welcoming the gathering, Golden Pagoda Head Monk Ven. Vimmalatissa stressed the need for systematic documentation and digitisation of Tai Khamti heritage. He called for active participation of schools, monasteries and community institutions in preserving and transmitting the community’s cultural identity. Nanda Foundation Chairman Mrinal Talukdar introduced the project and urged the younger generation to actively contribute to preserving the Tai Khamti language, script, manuscripts and traditions through digital platforms. Commissioner CR Khampa emphasised the importance of documenting the contributions and knowledge of senior elders and traditional knowledge holders, describing their experiences as an invaluable part of Tai Khamti heritage. DC Lobsang Tsering termed the initiative an important step towards preserving and digitising the Tai Khamti script and cultural heritage and ensuring wider access to these resources for future generations. MLA Namchoom appreciated the initiative and stressed the need to preserve the Tai Khamti language and script for younger generations. He called upon the community to take collective responsibility for safeguarding its cultural identity. Addressing the gathering, Mein highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the Tai Khamti community and said preservation of language and culture was a collective responsibility. He urged the community to undertake necessary initiatives to ensure that the language continues to be taught and used. Mein suggested that Tai Khamti could be promoted as a third language in schools from Class I onwards in Namsai district, subject to the required institutional and educational framework. He also stressed the need to appoint Tai Khamti language teachers in monasteries to facilitate structured learning. He encouraged the younger generation to learn and use the language and remain connected with their cultural roots, while making effective use of the digital archive for learning, research and preservation. The public can access the archive at khamtis.org. The launch was described as an important step towards ensuring that Tai Khamti language, script, traditions, knowledge and cultural heritage are preserved and passed on to future generations.  

ITANAGAR, AUG 15: The Arunachal Press Club (APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) celebrated the 80th Independence Day at the APC premises at Ganga here on Saturday. The observance marked the third Independence Day celebration at the Press Club’s permanent premises since its inauguration in 2022. The APC began holding the annual celebration at its own premises in 2024, followed by the 2025 observance under the then leadership of Dodum Yangfo. This year’s celebration was held under APC president Amar Sangno. Sangno hoisted the National Flag and addressed members of the media fraternity on the significance of Independence Day and the importance of continuing the tradition at the Press Club’s permanent premises. “APC shall continue this tradition of celebrating not only Independence Day but also Republic Day with the same energy, now that we have our own office building,” Sangno said. Extending Independence Day greetings to fellow journalists, he urged members of the media fraternity to remember the freedom fighters and fallen heroes whose sacrifices paved the way for the country’s independence. The programme was attended by APUWJ president Dodum Yangfo, APC general secretary Damien Lepcha, APUWJ general secretary Sonam Jelly and other office-bearers and members of the two organisations. Stuents from local schools also participated in the celebration, adding a youthful presence to the national observance.