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NAMPHAI : An awareness programme on government schemes, financial literacy and entrepreneurship was conducted at ITI Namphai-I in Changlang district on Tuesday, with around 80 students participating enthusiastically. The programme was organised at the initiative of the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and facilitated by NABARD Assistant General Manager (District Development) Kamal Roy. In the first session, Roy provided an overview of the Indian banking system and various financial services available to the public. He explained the functions of different types of banks and familiarised students with banking products such as savings accounts, current accounts, recurring deposits and fixed deposits. Emphasising the importance of financial literacy, he also highlighted the roles of key financial regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Roy further discussed the significance of insurance, covering life, general and motor insurance, and explained procedures related to the Indian Motor Tariff (IMT) and the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT). Students were also introduced to investment avenues such as mutual funds and the benefits of Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) for long-term financial planning. The second session focused on Central and state government schemes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment among youth. Participants were briefed on flagship schemes including the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME), PM Vishwakarma, PM Mudra Yojana, PM SVANidhi and Stand-Up India. State government initiatives such as the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana (DDUSY), Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana, Atma Nirbhar Bagwani Yojana, Atma Nirbhar Pashu Palan Yojana and Atma Nirbhar Matsya Palan Yojana were also highlighted. Roy underscored the importance of UDYAM registration in formalising enterprises and enabling entrepreneurs to access government support and benefits. Students actively participated in the interactive sessions, seeking clarifications on various schemes and expressing keen interest in entrepreneurship opportunities. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the course instructor, who appreciated the resource person for delivering informative and motivating sessions. The event helped enhance students’ awareness of financial management, government support mechanisms and opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-employment. (DIPR)  

DOIMUKH :  Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) on Tuesday observed World Blood Donor Day by organising an awareness programme to promote voluntary and unpaid blood donation among students, faculty members and staff. The programme was jointly organised by the Rajiv Gandhi University Employees Association (RGUEA) in collaboration with the University Health Centre, National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS). Around 150 participants, including teaching and non-teaching employees, NCC and NSS volunteers, and students of Government Secondary School, RGU Campus, took part in the event. Welcoming the gathering, RGUEA General Secretary Eswar Kr. Sunar highlighted the life-saving significance of voluntary blood donation and encouraged members of the university community to actively support the humanitarian cause. RGU Registrar Dr NT Rikam urged participants to not only donate blood but also consider organ donation, emphasising the critical role such contributions play in saving lives and supporting patients in need. RGU Health Centre Chief Medical Officer Dr Akin Tana Tara delivered an informative presentation on blood donation, covering donor eligibility, safety protocols and the health benefits associated with regular voluntary donation. In his address, the Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to social responsibility and public service, and appealed to students, faculty members and staff to participate actively in voluntary blood donation initiatives to strengthen community health and save lives. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by RGUEA President N. Bapu, who expressed gratitude to all participants, including university employees, NCC and NSS volunteers, and the Headmistress and students of Government Secondary School, RGU Campus, for their enthusiastic participation. The event served to raise awareness about the importance of regular voluntary blood donation and encouraged greater participation in future blood donation and humanitarian initiatives.  

HAWAI : The Anjaw district administration on Tuesday organised an awareness-cum-sensitisation meeting on the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme (APEDP) 5.0 to disseminate information about the flagship entrepreneurship initiative of the state government and encourage wider participation from the district. The programme was attended by Heads of Departments (HoDs), Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs), Gram Panchayat Chairpersons (GPCs), representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and other stakeholders. In his welcome address, Anjaw Sub-Divisional Officer Dakli Gara underscored the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the district and called upon stakeholders to support deserving youth and innovators through effective grassroots outreach and awareness. A detailed presentation on APEDP 5.0 was delivered by Sidharth D, Assistant Fellow of the Chief Minister’s Mission for Visionary and Vibrant Arunachal Pradesh Fellowship Programme (MMVAPFP). The presentation covered the programme’s objectives, eligibility criteria, application process, incubation support, seed funding provisions and other financial and non-financial benefits available to selected startups. The presentation also highlighted the programme’s focus on innovation, scalability and sustainable enterprise development, while encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs from Anjaw to avail themselves of the opportunity. Participants stressed the need for extensive dissemination of information across the district and called for awareness activities at the circle, block and village levels. Stakeholders were urged to utilise social media, public meetings and community engagement platforms to ensure that potential entrepreneurs, particularly youth in remote areas, are informed about the programme. Constructive suggestions were shared by Hawai North Zilla Parishad Member and Gram Panchayat Chairpersons, who appreciated the initiative and emphasised the need for sustained awareness campaigns to maximise participation from remote regions of the district. Heads of Departments also expressed their commitment to supporting APEDP 5.0 by leveraging departmental networks and field-level engagements to identify and encourage innovative individuals and aspiring entrepreneurs. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Anjaw District Planning Officer Ozing Gao, who appealed for coordinated efforts among government departments, PRI institutions and community stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of APEDP 5.0 reach every eligible youth in the district. Reaffirming its commitment to promoting entrepreneurship as a driver of inclusive economic development, the district administration encouraged eligible innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs to submit their applications under APEDP 5.0 before the deadline of July 20, 2027.      

ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday described bamboo as the state’s “Green Gold” and called upon local youth to harness its vast potential for entrepreneurship, employment generation and sustainable economic growth. Inaugurating the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo & Cane Technology Centre at Gungu near here, Khandu said the new centre would transform the state’s abundant bamboo resources into value-added products and create livelihood opportunities for youth, artisans, self-help groups and entrepreneurs, an official release said. Arunachal possesses the country’s second-largest bamboo stock and over 60 bamboo species. “Bamboo is not a new subject for us. It has always been an integral part of the social, cultural and economic life of our tribal communities,” the chief minister said, adding that the facility would serve as a hub for innovation, skill development, value addition and commercialisation of bamboo products. Highlighting the expanding industrial applications of bamboo, the Khandu said it is no longer confined to traditional handicrafts but is now being used in furniture, construction materials, textiles, biofuel and even aviation fuel. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reforms that removed bamboo from the category of trees under forest regulations, making its cultivation and commercial use easier. The chief minister urged unemployed youth, especially from the Gungu and Sangdupota areas, to take advantage of the training facilities at the centre and government-backed entrepreneurship schemes. He said bamboo-based enterprises can tap national and international markets through e-commerce platforms and benefit from initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s UNNATI Scheme and various MSME programmes. Advocating bamboo-based prefabricated housing technology, Khandu said such structures are lightweight, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, making them particularly suitable for earthquake-prone Himalayan regions. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive bamboo policy and directed experts and officials of the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo Resources and Development Agency (APBRDA) to prepare a long-term roadmap for bamboo cultivation, processing, regeneration and industrial utilisation. Emphasising the importance of skill development, the chief minister said the state must reduce its dependence on outside labour by equipping local youth with market-relevant skills. He observed that with major hydropower projects underway, Arunachal Pradesh would require thousands of skilled workers in the coming years. Khandu also said Sangdupota and adjoining areas are emerging as a key growth corridor for the Capital region due to the presence of major educational and institutional establishments. Responding to local demands, he assured support for improving water supply infrastructure and constructing a bridge to enhance connectivity to the Bamboo & Cane Technology centre. Forest Minister Wangki Lowang, local MLA Nabam Vivek, APBRDA Chairman Kipa Tatar, Vice Chairman Techi Necha, NEC Member T N Thongdok, senior officials, scientists and representatives of various boards and agencies were present on the occasion. (Source: PTI)          

ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday launched the online portal of TRACTION 2026 – Residency and Film Challenge at the Civil Secretariat here, marking the commencement of a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at promoting the state’s tourism, culture, indigenous products and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through digital storytelling and visual content creation. The initiative is being implemented under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India. Launching the portal, Khandu described TRACTION 2026 as a transformative platform capable of projecting Arunachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage, tourism potential and entrepreneurial success stories to national and international audiences. “TRACTION 2026 is not merely a filmmaking challenge. It is a platform to tell the authentic stories of Arunachal Pradesh to the world,” he said. Highlighting the growing influence of the digital economy and social media, the Chief Minister said the initiative would empower aspiring filmmakers, vloggers and content creators from across the Northeast to become ambassadors of the region’s cultural and economic strengths. He noted that visual storytelling has emerged as one of the most effective tools for destination promotion and cultural preservation, adding that authentic digital content can help showcase the state’s tourism destinations, indigenous traditions, geographical indication (GI)-tagged products, handicrafts, handmade paper and local enterprises to a wider audience. Khandu expressed confidence that the programme would strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s creative economy while generating long-term benefits for local communities, entrepreneurs and tourism stakeholders. He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Department of Industries, Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation (CCRD), Department of Mass Communication Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) and other partner institutions in conceptualising and organising the initiative. Speaking on the occasion, Industries, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Textile and Handicrafts, Trade and Commerce, and Information, Public Relations and Printing Minister Nyato Dukam said the initiative would serve as a powerful platform to promote Arunachal Pradesh’s diverse cultural traditions, indigenous practices, crafts, cuisines and tourism destinations through compelling visual narratives. He appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Department of Industries, RAMP, CCRD, Directorate of Urban Local Bodies (DULB) and RGU in creating a platform that combines creativity with economic development. Industries and Commerce Commissioner Amjad Tak elaborated on the objectives of the programme and said TRACTION 2026 seeks to strengthen the creative content ecosystem by nurturing filmmakers, vloggers and digital storytellers from Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Northeastern region. He informed that 25 emerging content creators from all eight Northeastern states would be selected to produce visual content highlighting the state’s tourism destinations, MSMEs, GI-tagged products, handicrafts, food processing sector and entrepreneurial success stories. Tak said creative storytelling can become a powerful marketing and brand-building tool for local entrepreneurs and startups by helping them connect with wider consumer markets. Referring to initiatives such as the traditional handmade paper project in Dirang, he highlighted the immense potential of Arunachal Pradesh’s heritage and GI-tagged products. RAMP State Project Lead Dr Arinam Hazarika stressed the importance of forging long-term partnerships with digital creators to promote startups, local enterprises, food processing units and the state’s growing MSME ecosystem. He particularly highlighted the potential of Arunachal Pradesh’s organic food products, gastronomy and culinary traditions. Providing an overview of the programme, RGU Department of Mass Communication Assistant Professor and TRACTION 2026 Course Director Moji Riba said social media has evolved into a powerful parallel economy that influences travel choices, consumer behaviour and cultural awareness. He said the initiative aims to channel the influence of content creators towards responsible storytelling that authentically represents the identity, aspirations and development potential of Arunachal Pradesh. TRACTION 2026 is a 15-day residency and film challenge scheduled to be held from August 7 to 21 at Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills. The programme will bring together 25 selected content creators and social media influencers from the eight Northeastern states. Participants will undergo skill-development workshops, location-based filmmaking, editing sessions, mentorship and film evaluation while undertaking field visits to selected tourism destinations across the state. Each participant will be required to produce a five-minute film along with regular digital content documenting their residency experience. The top two films will receive cash awards of ₹1 lakh each, along with trophies and citations. Outstanding works will also be showcased through official government social media platforms to amplify stories highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s tourism potential, cultural richness, ecological diversity and entrepreneurial achievements.