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GANGTOK : The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA), in collaboration with Royal Enfield and the Department of English, Sikkim University, organised Gender Dialogues in the Himalayas: The Role of Institutions, Society and the Arts on July 31, bringing together scholars, artists, researchers and practitioners from across the Himalayan region to discuss gender, identity, culture, institutions and the arts. Held in a hybrid format, the programme served as an interdisciplinary platform for dialogue on gender, artistic practices and community engagement, with participants from different parts of the country. The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr Abrona L Aden, followed by an introduction to the Himalayan Fellowship by lead consultant Mary Therese Kurkalang, who outlined the fellowship’s objective of promoting research and creative practices across the Himalayan region. Representing Arunachal Pradesh, AP QueerStation founder Sawang Wangchha shared the organisation’s efforts to build safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities in the state. He highlighted the increasing visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Arunachal Pradesh while drawing attention to the challenges of loneliness, isolation and the lack of safe spaces faced by many indigenous queer persons. Drawing from AP QueerStation’s work in advocacy, mental health, storytelling, cultural engagement, research and public sensitisation, Wangchha spoke about the emerging queer movement in Arunachal Pradesh and stressed the need for community-led initiatives rooted in dignity, inclusion, dialogue and indigenous realities. The panel also featured Avinam Manger, Prof Rosy Chamling, Davidson Kumam and Shiva Pathak, with the session moderated by Lobsang Norbu. Discussions focused on the role of institutions, communities, literature, visual arts and cultural traditions in shaping conversations on gender and identity across the Himalayan region. Speakers collectively underscored the importance of strengthening dialogue, promoting inclusive cultural spaces and ensuring meaningful representation of diverse Himalayan communities, including indigenous and LGBTQIA+ groups, in academic, artistic and public discourse. The programme concluded with an interactive session between the speakers and participants, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Saswati Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Sikkim University. AP QueerStation expressed gratitude to FICA, Royal Enfield and the Department of English, Sikkim University for providing a platform that brought together diverse voices from across the Himalayan region to engage in meaningful discussions on gender, identity and inclusion.    

LIKABALI : A team from the Public Health Engineering and Water Supply (PHE&WS) Department on Sunday inspected flood-damaged water supply systems at Tene Camp and Tene village in Lower Siang district following the recent cloudburst at Upper Ramle Banggo. The inspection team, led by Likabali Executive Engineer Binga Gara, accompanied by Koyu Junior Engineer Mikshep Kadu and field staff, was initially scheduled to assess the damaged water supply infrastructure at Koyu Headquarters. However, the team could not reach the area due to a road blockade between Tene Camp and Kakki Village. The officials subsequently visited Tene Camp and Tene Village, where they inspected the damaged water supply systems and interacted with affected residents to assess the extent of the damage and understand their immediate requirements. During the visit, the team also distributed grocery items to flood-affected families as a gesture of support. The field inspection enabled the department to assess the impact of the recent natural calamity on water supply infrastructure and the difficulties being faced by the affected communities. The department is expected to carry out a detailed assessment and initiate restoration measures once road connectivity to the affected areas is restored. (DIPR)      

PASIGHAT : Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), Pasighat, on Sunday observed Nasha Mukt Bharat with a special programme on campus, emphasising the role of educational institutions and teachers in building a drug-free society. Welcoming the gathering, Assistant Registrar (Academics) Likha Rinchin outlined the objectives of the campaign and stressed that a drug-free nation begins with drug-free campuses. He said universities have a vital responsibility to guide young minds away from substance abuse and called for coordinated efforts involving the administration, faculty, students and the wider community to combat the menace of drugs. Dean of Academic Affairs Prof Jena said the campaign was more than an administrative initiative and represented a collective vision for an addiction-free society. Stressing the influential role of teachers, he urged the teaching community to actively sensitise students to the harmful effects of substance abuse both inside and outside the classroom. He said teachers should consider themselves active stakeholders in creating a substance-abuse-free campus and added that self-awareness and self-discipline among individuals were essential for the success of the campaign. He also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to safeguarding the younger generation and contributing to a healthier society. Anti-Tobacco Cell chairperson and Assistant Professor of Social Work Ngurang Mana administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge to students, faculty and staff, who vowed to remain free from drugs and tobacco and discourage their use on campus. Addressing the gathering, Mana reiterated that APU is a tobacco-free campus and urged students to refrain from using tobacco or other substances anywhere on the university premises. She warned that violations of the university’s tobacco-free and drug-free policies would invite strict disciplinary action while encouraging students to act as peer motivators in spreading awareness. Assistant Professor of Commerce Dr Yab Rajiv Camdir encouraged students to channel their energy into academics, sports and healthy pursuits. He said discipline was the key to both academic success and avoiding harmful habits, urging students to remain focused on constructive goals. The programme also featured the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan through video conferencing. The campaign, spearheaded by MY Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, marks the launch of a 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari initiative against substance abuse, with weekly awareness activities to be organised every Sunday across the country. In his address, the Prime Minister described the campaign as a movement for individuals, families and society, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a developed India with a healthy, mentally strong and addiction-free younger generation. Among those present were Registrar Narmi Darang, Dean of Student Welfare Dr Eli Doye, Assistant Registrar (Finance) Anil Nangkar, heads of departments, faculty members, staff, students and research scholars.    

ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Congress urged Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to take up four issues concerning the state in Parliament, alleging that the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state have failed to address them. The demands were made in a memorandum submitted by state Congress president Bosiram Siram to the party leadership during an All India Congress Committee (AICC) review meeting in New Delhi, a statement said on Saturday. The state Congress sought an amendment to Article 371(H) to bring it on a par with Article 371(A) applicable to Nagaland and Article 371(G) applicable to Mizoram, arguing that the existing provisions do not adequately protect the state’s land, customary laws and natural resources. The state unit said stronger constitutional safeguards, on the lines of the Sixth Schedule, were needed to strengthen tribal self-governance and protect indigenous communities. The state Congress also reiterated its opposition to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), alleging that the mega dam in the seismically sensitive region could trigger large-scale ecological damage. Claiming that the project could affect more than 2 lakh people and submerge ancestral land and heritage sites such as Kekar Monying, the state Congress said national security concerns over China’s upstream activities should not override the principle of free, prior and informed consent of local tribal communities. The memorandum also raised concerns over Chinese activities along the international border, accusing the BJP of “selective nationalism” and demanding a White Paper from the Centre on the border situation. The state Congress also demanded the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), criticising the National Pension System (NPS) and alleging that it leaves government employees financially insecure. Siram urged Gandhi to strongly raise these issues in Parliament, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh should not be treated merely as a resource-rich region but as the homeland of indigenous communities. (Source: PTI)    

TAWANG : The two-day Regional Convention of the State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs) of the North Eastern States concluded at the Kalawangpo Convention Hall here on Saturday with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Member Priyank Kanoongo attending the valedictory session as the chief guest. Organised by the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), the convention brought together chairpersons, members and officials of the SCPCRs from across the Northeast to deliberate on strengthening child rights through regional cooperation, knowledge sharing and collaborative action. In his keynote address, Kanoongo said the recommendations and deliberations emerging from the convention would help shape child rights policies and strengthen institutional mechanisms over the next two decades. He expressed confidence that these collective efforts would contribute to nurturing responsible and empowered citizens in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He congratulated the APSCPCR for successfully organising the convention and lauded its initiative in bringing all the North Eastern States onto a common platform to deliberate on issues concerning child welfare and protection. He expressed hope that the outcomes of the convention would serve as a benchmark for future child rights initiatives across the country. The concluding technical session featured presentations by chairpersons and representatives of the participating State Commissions, who shared best practices, innovative initiatives and suggestions for strengthening child protection systems. The discussions emphasised the need for greater inter-state cooperation, institutional convergence, community participation and the exchange of successful models to address emerging challenges affecting children. The convention concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen the protection, education, care and overall well-being of children through sustained collaboration and coordinated action among all stakeholders, reaffirming the North Eastern States’ shared commitment to building a safe, inclusive and child-friendly society.