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ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday said Buddhist gonpas (monasteries) are much more than places of worship, describing them as the spiritual, cultural and social heart of the Monpa community that help preserve faith, traditions, values and identity across generations. Khandu made the remarks after attending the consecration ceremony of the newly established Tiwkhar Gonpa at Yusum village in Tawang district. Sharing the information in a social media post, the chief minister said the sacred event marked an important milestone for the local community and reflected its deep-rooted spiritual heritage. “Gonpa is far more than a place of worship. It is the spiritual, cultural and social heart of Monpa society, preserving our faith, traditions, values and identity across generations,” Khandu said in a post on X. The chief minister attended the consecration ceremony in the presence of Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, Zilla Parishad chairperson Leki Gombu and other dignitaries. He described the celebration at the picturesque Yusum village as a deeply meaningful occasion for the people of the region. The Tiwkhar Gonpa has been established as a full-time monastery and will serve multiple roles in the lives of the local people, the chief minister said in another post. “The Gonpa is a full-time monastery, serving daily as a spiritual sanctuary, a centre for education, and a cultural anchor for the entire community,” he said. Expressing appreciation to all those involved in the construction and consecration of the monastery, Khandu said the project reflected the collective commitment of the community towards preserving its rich Buddhist heritage and cultural traditions. “Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this auspicious milestone possible,” he said. The chief minister also offered prayers for the well-being of the people and sought blessings for peace and prosperity across the region. “May the blessings of the Triple Gem bring peace, harmony, and prosperity to every household,” Khandu added. Tawang district, one of the most important centres of Mahayana Buddhism in the Himalayan region, is home to several historic monasteries and monastic institutions that play a vital role in preserving Buddhist teachings, culture and indigenous traditions. Monasteries in the district serve not only as places of prayer and meditation but also as centres of learning, social interaction and community life, making them an integral part of the region’s cultural fabric. (Source: PTI)  

LUNGLA : Advisor to Planning and Women & Child Development Minister and Lumla MLA Tsering Lhamu on Monday urged young people to become job creators rather than job seekers, highlighting entrepreneurship as a key driver of employment generation and rural economic growth. Addressing a Gramin Udyog and Entrepreneurship Development Workshop organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board (APKVIB) at Lumla, she encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of the various schemes and support mechanisms offered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), APKVIB and other government agencies. Lhamu also stressed the importance of value addition, innovation, branding and market linkages to enhance the income potential of local products and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural areas. The workshop, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment, witnessed the participation of more than 200 villagers, artisans, farmer groups, Self-Help Group (SHG) members, unemployed youth and aspiring entrepreneurs from across the Lumla subdivision. APKVIB Chairman Adv. Maling Gombu highlighted the importance of linking artisans, entrepreneurs and farmer groups with government programmes that support village industries and rural enterprises. He informed participants about the benefits of affiliating with APKVIB to access technical guidance, handholding support and developmental initiatives. Resource persons from MSME, NERAMAC, DoNER and APKVIB highlighted the potential of village industries based on locally available resources in Tawang district. Sectors such as handicrafts, handloom, Monpa handmade paper, food processing, beekeeping and agro-based enterprises were identified as promising avenues for entrepreneurship. During the technical sessions, MSME Itanagar Director (In-Charge) Dr Satish Kumar briefed participants on various schemes supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, while NERAMAC Itanagar Business Development Officer Md Abdul Rakib elaborated on market linkage opportunities and buyback arrangements in the agri-allied sector. Participants actively interacted with experts and sought information on the commercial prospects of products such as amla, lemongrass, seabuckthorn and other high-value crops, besides seeking technical and marketing support. Concluding the programme, APKVIB Development Officer Ralong Singhi reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting rural entrepreneurs through training, capacity building, technology support, market facilitation and handholding initiatives.    

DIRANG : A Coordination-cum-Sub-Divisional Level Monitoring Committee meeting was held at Dirang under the chairmanship of Advisor to PWD, Highways and Science & Technology Minister Phurpa Tsering. The meeting was attended by West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioners, administrative officers, Heads of Departments (HoDs), Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs), Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and other stakeholders. Welcoming the participants, Dirang Additional Deputy Commissioner highlighted the importance of the meeting in reviewing developmental activities and addressing issues affecting the subdivision. During the meeting, HoDs made detailed presentations on the progress of ongoing projects, departmental achievements, challenges and future plans. Various issues related to developmental works and public service delivery were also discussed. Among the concerns raised were transportation difficulties faced by departmental staff, installation of smart meters, pipeline connectivity, staff shortages and other infrastructure-related issues. Departments also sought necessary interventions for the smooth implementation of government schemes and development programmes. Addressing the gathering, West Kameng DC Dr Dilip Kumar stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination for effective implementation of developmental projects. He said close cooperation among departments was essential to ensure quality execution, timely completion of projects and overall progress of the district. He also directed departments to ensure that beneficiaries selected under government schemes are genuine and deserving. In his address, Phurpa Tsering called for greater involvement of Panchayat leaders and PRI members in the implementation of developmental activities. He emphasised that beneficiary selection under government schemes should be carried out transparently and in consultation with Panchayat representatives to ensure fairness, accountability and public confidence. Taking note of transportation challenges faced by administrative officers and contingency staff due to the distance between offices, Tsering assured that efforts would be made to facilitate the provision of a bus for the benefit of staff members.        

ITANAGAR : The second edition of Purple Fest Arunachal 2026 concluded successfully at Delhi Public School (DPS), Jollang, following a two-day celebration of inclusion, accessibility and empowerment on June 20 and 21. Supported by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and organised by the Paralympic Association of Arunachal (PAA), the festival brought together more than 350 Divyangjan, parents, teachers, educators, officials, volunteers and support staff from across the state. Participants from 16 districts attended the event, which aimed to promote dignity, equal opportunities and social inclusion for persons with disabilities while providing a platform to showcase their talents, abilities and achievements. The festival was inaugurated in the presence of SJETA Secretary Dani Salu, Sports Authority of Arunachal Chairman Neelam John, Paralympic Association of Assam Secretary General Rajib Dey, All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union Women Affairs Secretary Techi Tannu, Mr Arunachal 2026 Lhakpa Tsering, Mrs Arunachal 2026 Leyu Abom Yekar, former Directorate of Health Services Director Dr M. Lego, Deepak Nabam Living Home Chairman Deepak Nabam and other distinguished guests. A variety of activities were conducted during the festival, including sports competitions, cultural performances, literary events, drawing competitions, exhibitions, awareness programmes, skill development workshops, educational and career counselling sessions, and recognition of outstanding Divyangjan achievers. Speakers on the occasion underscored the need to build an inclusive society where every individual is provided equal opportunities to participate, contribute and succeed. The event also served as a platform for interaction, learning, networking and empowerment among participants and stakeholders. The PAA expressed gratitude to SJETA, particularly Director Yumlam Kaha and his team, for their support in ensuring the successful conduct of the festival. Appreciation was also extended to DPS Jollang for providing the venue and necessary facilities. In the district-level competition, Papum Pare emerged champion, while East Siang secured the first runner-up position and East Kameng finished as the second runner-up. Reaffirming the message that “Disability is Not Inability,” the festival concluded with a renewed commitment towards building a more accessible, inclusive and empowering society for all.      

SEPPA : East Kameng Superintendent of Police (SP) Shivendu Bhushan honoured police personnel with appreciation letters in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the detection and seizure of narcotic substances under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The officers were recognised for their dedication, professionalism and prompt action in successfully carrying out anti-narcotics operations, reaffirming the district police’s commitment to combating drug-related crimes and building a drug-free society. On the occasion, the SP also commended the efforts of the Seppa Traffic Police for their exemplary service in promoting road safety, ensuring smooth traffic management and encouraging responsible road use. The recognition programme highlighted the importance of dedication and professionalism in public service and is expected to inspire police personnel to continue serving the community with integrity and commitment.  

LIKABALI : An awareness programme on the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme (APEDP) 5.0 and a career counselling session were organised at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Likabali, as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Jigo-Yego Students’ Union (JYSU). The programme witnessed the participation of more than 250 students and youths from the 28th Likabali (ST) Assembly Constituency. Resource persons included Police Training Centre Banderdewa Deputy Superintendent of Police Moge Bole, Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences Assistant Professor Dr Jarde Karlo and Lohit District Information and Public Relations Officer Nyatum Doke. The speakers interacted with students and shared insights on career opportunities in administration, policing, medicine, media, entrepreneurship and other professional fields. Representing the Lower Siang District Planning Office under the Mukhyamantri Viksit Arunachal Fellowship Programme (MMVAFP), Fellow Mesin and Assistant Fellow Meera conducted an awareness session on APEDP 5.0. They briefed participants on the programme’s objectives, benefits, eligibility criteria and application process, and informed them that applications will be accepted until July 20. Informational flyers were also distributed among the attendees. During the counselling session, the resource persons encouraged students to pursue their goals with dedication and discipline while making informed career choices. The interactive programme also provided an opportunity for participants to seek guidance and clarify their career-related queries. The event successfully promoted awareness about entrepreneurship opportunities under APEDP 5.0 while inspiring students to explore diverse career pathways and professional opportunities.