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NAHARLAGUN, AUG 23: A community-driven gathering, Queers Ki Kahani – Our Voice, Our Story, organised by AP QueerStation, was held at Your Favourite Café in Naharlagun on Sunday, providing members of the LGBTQIA+ community an informal and intimate space to share stories, poetry, shayari, conversations and personal experiences. The gathering sought to create a safe environment where queer individuals could speak openly about their lives and experiences without fear of judgement or criticism. Participants spoke about coming out, loss, rejection, lack of family and social support, abuse, mental health struggles and other challenges encountered in a largely heteronormative society. “Queers Ki Kahani is about creating a space within our own community where we can listen to and understand each other and simply be there for one another,” the organisers said. They noted that queer people often have limited opportunities to express themselves freely and that such gatherings provide a rare opportunity to open up and be themselves. The session was hosted by ToriqBomshok, who briefed participants on the purpose of the gathering and emphasised solidarity, respect and community support. This was followed by a welcome address by Sawang Wangchha and sharing of personal stories and experiences by community members. The gathering also remembered community members who had died by suicide in recent months, acknowledging their lives and the grief of those who knew them. AP QueerStation has been working to create safe and inclusive spaces for indigenous queer people and the wider LGBTQIA+ community in Arunachal Pradesh through community gatherings, advocacy, storytelling, sensitisation programmes and collective action. Speaking on the need for queer communities to claim their spaces and rights, Wangchha said that in a deeply heteronormative society, safe spaces and rights are rarely handed to marginalised communities and must instead be created and demanded collectively. The gathering concluded with participants expressing hope for the future and a renewed sense of community. The organisers also thanked the owners and staff of Your Favourite Café for hosting the event and for maintaining a queer-friendly and welcoming environment for members of the community.    

ITANAGAR, AUG 26: The Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) bid farewell to its active member Dr MQ Khan, who retired as Principal of Dera Natung Government College (DNGC) on superannuation on July 31. The farewell was held during the Society’s 154th monthly sitting, chaired by APLS President Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi. In his farewell address, Dr Khan reflected on his career as a teacher of English literature and highlighted his contribution to the development of infrastructure at Dera Natung Government College. He urged the younger generation to follow the path shown by their teachers, saying that it is through such guidance that one can truly shine in life. Several APLS members, many of them Dr Khan’s former students, recalled his role in inspiring and motivating them in their academic and professional journeys. Senior members Nani Kojin, Sokhep Kri, Inumoni Das Thongchi and Nomi Mega Gumro also spoke on the occasion. APLS President Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi praised Dr Khan’s contribution to the growth of literature in Arunachal Pradesh, describing him as a person with profound and vast knowledge of literature. He said both he and the state’s young and budding writers had benefited immensely from Dr Khan’s guidance. The programme also featured poetry recitations by Takhe Yasa, Nomi Mega Gumro and Tarh Susana, while Sokhep Kri entertained the gathering with ghazals and old Hindi songs. Earlier, welcoming Dr Khan, APLS General Secretary Mukul Pathak said that although the Society had bid farewell to him, he would remain a member of APLS forever, wherever he might live.  

MIPI, AUG 23: More than 50 farmers participated in an awareness generation and orientation programme on natural farming organised by the Department of Agriculture Dibang Valley at Mipi on Sunday. The programme was conducted under the supervision of Anini Agriculture Development Officer Duyu Udi and attended by Mipi Zilla Parishad Member Siyo Miwu, Mipi Circle Officer Anmol Singh, GPC Dumpi Mega, Mipi Gaon Bura Tocha Mipi and Dibang Valley Kisan Morcha General Secretary Kobe Mihu, besides farmers and local community members. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Dibang Valley Subject Matter Specialist (Agroforestry) Neelam Sunny, who served as the resource person, sensitised the participants on the principles and practical benefits of natural farming. He highlighted the use of indigenous bio-inputs such as Beejamrit and Jeevamrit to improve soil health, reduce dependence on external inputs and promote sustainable cultivation. Farmers were encouraged to adopt locally suitable, eco-friendly and climate-resilient practices, with emphasis on reducing input costs, strengthening farm resilience and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The programme highlighted the Department of Agriculture’s efforts to promote healthy soils and sustainable and environmentally responsible farming practices across Dibang Valley. (DIPR)      

BASAR, AUG 23: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Leparada, in collaboration with the district administration organised a Legal Orientation-cum-Training Programme for Gaon Bura/Buris (GBs) at Karko Heritage, Basar, on Saturday. The programme aimed to strengthen legal awareness among traditional village functionaries and enhance their understanding of their duties and responsibilities in facilitating access to justice at the grassroots level. The orientation covered key legal and social issues, including the duties and responsibilities of Gaon Bura/Buris, Arunachal Pradesh Victim Compensation Scheme, Assam Frontier (Administration of Justice) Regulation, 1945, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, laws relating to domestic violence and the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Courts Act, 2021. Leparada District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairperson DLSA Jaweplu Chai addressed the participants on key legal provisions and the role of GBs in promoting legal awareness and access to justice in villages. Leparada ADC Tamo Riba stressed the importance of coordination between traditional village institutions and the district administration in addressing community issues and ensuring effective implementation of laws and government programmes. Other resource persons included West Siang District Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Civil Judge (Senior Division) Utumso Boo, DLSA Leparada Panel Advocate Mijum Doke and Leparada Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel Ito Riram. They provided practical insights into relevant laws and procedures, with emphasis on preventing social and legal problems, assisting victims and vulnerable persons and facilitating access to legal services. Particular emphasis was placed on child marriage and domestic violence, with participants sensitised to their legal consequences and the importance of timely intervention and reporting. They were also briefed on victim compensation mechanisms and the availability of free legal aid for eligible persons. Around 63 GBs from different villages across Leparada district participated in the programme and interacted with the resource persons on legal issues commonly encountered at the grassroots level. Participation certificates and legal awareness pamphlets were distributed at the conclusion of the programme. Officials and staff of the DLSA also attended and assisted in conducting the programme. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR, AUG 22: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) has expressed grave concern over the rising number of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the extremely low rate of prosecution, while calling for stronger and more preventive child protection mechanisms across Arunachal Pradesh. The Governor made the observations when the Chairperson of the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), accompanied by members of the Commission, called on him at Lok Bhavan here on Saturday. The Chairperson briefed the Governor on the outcomes of the two-day North East SCPCRs Convention on Child Rights held at Tawang on July 31 and August 1, which brought together child rights institutions from across the North Eastern States to deliberate on emerging challenges, best practices and collaborative strategies for protecting children. Appreciating the initiative, Parnaik said the well-being of children must remain a collective responsibility of society and the government. He said every child deserves a safe childhood, quality education, good health, protection from exploitation and equal opportunities to realise his or her potential. Parnaik called upon the APSCPCR to function as a vigilant watchdog for child rights and a catalyst for creating a child-friendly Arunachal Pradesh. He also urged the Commission to move beyond a predominantly complaint-based mechanism towards a preventive child protection framework, with greater emphasis on early identification and prevention of violations. The Governor advised the Commission to focus on child abuse, trafficking, child labour, substance abuse, school dropouts, child marriage and cyber exploitation. He stressed the need for stronger district-level monitoring and closer coordination with schools, Anganwadi centres, law enforcement agencies, health departments and community organisations to identify vulnerable children at an early stage. Expressing concern over the growing POCSO cases and low prosecution rate, the Governor stressed the need for effective prosecution of offences under the Act and stronger monitoring of Child Care Institutions. He called for institutionalising regular inspections of observation homes, shelter homes, hostels and other child care facilities. He further emphasised strict monitoring of the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act and Right to Education Act. Periodic reviews and independent assessments, he said, would improve accountability and help address systemic gaps in child protection. Highlighting the growing social and digital challenges faced by children, Parnaik called for a broad-based Child Rights Awareness Movement across the State. He suggested a statewide child rights literacy campaign involving educational institutions, Panchayati Raj bodies, religious leaders, youth organisations, civil society groups and the media. He said awareness programmes covering child protection laws, online safety, mental health, counselling services and reporting mechanisms should reach villages as well as urban areas. The Chairperson thanked the Governor for his guidance and assured him that the Commission would work towards implementing the suggestions to create a safer, more inclusive and child-friendly environment in the State. APSCPCR members Niri Chongrowju, Honluk Lukham, Ngurang Achung and Member Secretary Yakar Dawe accompanied the Chairperson during the meeting.