Popular News

ITANAGAR : Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik has termed monasteries as living institutions that preserve the state’s rich Buddhist heritage, nurture moral values and strengthen social harmony, saying they have remained repositories of ancient wisdom while also contributing to cultural tourism and peaceful coexistence. The governor made the remarks during his maiden visit to the Sang-ngag Choekhor Dargyeling Monastery, popularly known as Chilipam Monastery, in West Kameng district on Sunday, where he offered prayers and participated in a special ceremony for peace, prosperity and the well-being of humanity. Lauding the monastery’s contribution to society, he said institutions like Chilipam have played an invaluable role in preserving Buddhist traditions, spiritual values and the cultural heritage of the region, an official statement said here on Monday. “Monasteries such as Chilipam are far more than places of worship. They are living institutions that nurture moral values, foster compassion and serve as repositories of ancient wisdom that continue to guide society towards peace, harmony and mutual respect,” he said. Drawing from his years of service in Buddhist regions from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, including Bhutan, Parnaik said Buddhist institutions have made a significant contribution to strengthening social cohesion and promoting tolerance and understanding among communities. He said the monastery’s distinctive architecture, sacred relics, vibrant monastic traditions and serene surroundings attract devotees, pilgrims, scholars and tourists from across the country and abroad. Such heritage sites, he added, not only preserve the state’s cultural legacy but also promote cultural tourism. During the visit, the governor interacted with the monastery’s spiritual head and abbot, Rimpoche Trulku Tenzin Jigme, who briefed him on its initiatives to impart spiritual education, preserve Buddhist teachings and guide young people towards a life rooted in discipline, compassion and ethical values. Appreciating the monastery’s efforts, Parnaik stressed the importance of involving the younger generation in preserving Arunachal Pradesh’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. A special prayer ceremony was organised at the monastery, where monks offered prayers and blessings for peace, harmony and the well-being of humanity, reflecting the Buddhist ideals of universal brotherhood and collective well-being. Local MLA Tseten Chombay, commissioner to the governor Pawan Kumar Sain, West Kameng deputy commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar Chetia, Superintendent of Police D W Thungon and Sherdukpen community leaders accompanied the governor during the visit. Located around 15 km from Rupa in West Kameng district, Chilipam Monastery is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s prominent Buddhist centres. Perched atop a hill overlooking the Eastern Himalayas, it is known for its religious significance, traditional architecture and tranquil surroundings, drawing visitors from across India and abroad. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : The Press Information Bureau (PIB), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on Monday organised ‘Vartalap 2026’, a media outreach programme in Itanagar on Monday highlighting the Union government’s developmental initiatives over the past 12 years while promoting the nationwide ‘Gems of India’ Challenge aimed at empowering grassroots digital creators. Held under the theme, “12 Years of the Union Government: From Empowerment to Prosperity – A Step Towards the Future,” the programme sought to strengthen engagement with regional media, disseminate information on key developmental achievements and encourage youth participation in digital storytelling. Among those present were PIB Itanagar Joint Director Utsav Parmar, Arunachal Pradesh Information and Public Relations (IPR) Director Gijum Tali and Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) Professor Sanjeev Kumar Jena. Addressing the gathering, Parmar described the ‘Gems of India’ Challenge as a national platform that would enable young creators to showcase Arunachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage, traditions and history through innovative digital content. He encouraged the state’s youth to participate actively, saying the initiative would not only provide national recognition to emerging storytellers but also help introduce the unique identity of Arunachal Pradesh to audiences across the country. Parmar also highlighted improvements in the state’s education, healthcare and connectivity sectors over the past 12 years. Speaking on the occasion, Tali said the state had witnessed significant progress in infrastructure and air and road connectivity under various central initiatives, leading to notable socio-economic transformation. He said initiatives such as the ‘Gems of India’ Challenge would further empower local youth by promoting effective visual communication and digital creativity. Prof Jena highlighted the country’s progress in infrastructure, healthcare and digital sectors, while stressing the need to build sustainable economic ecosystems, particularly in frontier states such as Arunachal Pradesh, to ensure inclusive and long-term development. The ‘Vartalap’ outreach series is an initiative of the Press Information Bureau aimed at strengthening dialogue among government communicators, academic institutions and regional media for the effective dissemination of public policies and developmental programmes.        

MECHUKHA : In a major boost to cold-chain marketing and sustainable fisheries development, the Department of Fisheries on Monday flagged off a refrigerated vehicle carrying about three quintals of premium rainbow trout from Mechukha in Shi-Yomi district to markets in Aalo, Pasighat and Itanagar. The consignment was flagged off by Fisheries Minister Gabriel D Wangsu in the presence of Education Minister PD Sona. The programme was attended by Tourism Director, Shi-Yomi Deputy Commissioner, Mechukha Additional Deputy Commissioner, the Assistant Director of Fisheries (Nodal Officer, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana), Circle Officer Mechukha, District Fisheries Development Officer Shi-Yomi, Zilla Parishad Member Mechukha, heads of departments, public representatives, progressive fish farmers and other stakeholders. Speaking on the occasion, the ministers said the state government is committed to promoting trout farming as a high-value aquaculture activity capable of generating sustainable livelihoods and increasing farmers’ incomes in the high-altitude regions of Arunachal Pradesh. They said the introduction of refrigerated transport would preserve the freshness and quality of rainbow trout during transit, enabling producers from remote areas such as Mechukha to access larger and more remunerative markets. The initiative marks another milestone in the department’s efforts to strengthen post-harvest infrastructure, improve market linkages and establish an efficient cold-chain system for fisheries products. It is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, ensure better price realisation and expand the consumer base for Mechukha’s premium trout. The Department of Fisheries has been promoting scientific trout farming and strengthening infrastructure for production, transportation and marketing under various developmental programmes. Officials said the successful transportation of rainbow trout through a refrigerated vehicle further reinforces Mechukha’s growing reputation as a hub for quality trout production and supports the government’s vision of making fisheries a vibrant contributor to the state’s rural economy. Meanwhile, the Mechukha Trout Quest-2026, organised by the Department of Tourism on July 26 along the Yargyapchu River, attracted 56 anglers from across India as well as participants from Thailand and Bhutan. Competitions were held in the fly fishing and lure fishing categories, with prize money of ₹5 lakh for the winners and ₹3 lakh for the runners-up in each category. A separate angling competition for local residents of Shi-Yomi district was also organised at Pasang Sonam Lake near the international border, offering prizes of ₹1 lakh and ₹50,000. The tournament was directed by International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) India representative and All India Game Fishing Association Vice President (Environment) Derek D’Souza and featured renowned fly angler and guide Bobby Satpal. Minister Wangsu distributed prizes to the winners and highlighted the immense potential of trout farming and sport fishing in promoting sustainable livelihoods, tourism and rural economic development. The refrigerated transport initiative and the angling tournament together underscore the government’s efforts to develop Mechukha into a leading destination for quality rainbow trout production, sport fishing and adventure tourism while creating stronger market linkages and livelihood opportunities for local communities.      

ITANAGAR : Ngunhai Wangsu from Longding district was crowned Miss TCL 2026 at the grand finale of the fourth edition of the beauty pageant held at Kharsang in Changlang district, organisers said. Chathiam Agi from Tirap district was declared the first runner-up, while Kitdam Kitnal secured the second runner-up title after a keen contest featuring participants from across the Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) region. Fifteen finalists competed for the coveted crown, displaying confidence, talent and cultural grace through traditional wear, casual wear and evening gown rounds. The contestants were also assessed through a question-and-answer session and a written test designed to evaluate their communication skills, awareness and overall personality. Over the years, the Miss TCL pageant has emerged as a prominent platform for young women from the TCL region to celebrate their cultural identity while promoting leadership, confidence and self-expression. Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao and Nampong MLA Laisam Simai attended the grand finale and highlighted the importance of preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage while encouraging platforms that nurture the talents and aspirations of young people. They said such initiatives not only instill pride in indigenous traditions but also empower youth by providing opportunities to develop confidence, personality and leadership skills, enabling them to represent the region on larger platforms. Event managing director K P Khusia said the pageant has evolved into much more than a beauty competition, serving as a cultural platform that encourages a wide range of artistic talent. “This is not just a beauty pageant. It is a platform that also gives singers, dancers and other artistes an opportunity to showcase their talent before a wider audience,” Khusia said. He added that the organisers remain committed to making the event more inclusive every year by promoting culture, creativity and youth empowerment while providing aspiring talents from the TCL region with greater exposure.        

ITANAGAR : Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) on Monday met a delegation of the Chinmaya Amrit Yatra, led by Swami Mitrananda, at Raj Bhavan as part of the nationwide celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Chinmaya Mission. The Chinmaya Amrit Yatra is a nationwide spiritual and cultural initiative aimed at commemorating the mission’s 75 years of service by spreading the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta and India’s cultural heritage, while encouraging values-based living, self-discipline and national pride. Welcoming the initiative, the Governor appreciated the Chinmaya Mission’s longstanding contribution to spiritual awakening, character building and the preservation of India’s civilisational heritage. He said institutions such as the Chinmaya Mission play a crucial role in nurturing moral values, strengthening social harmony and building inner resilience in a rapidly changing world. Emphasising the need to preserve India’s cultural heritage and indigenous traditions, particularly among the younger generation, Parnaik said Arunachal Pradesh’s rich tribal customs and cultural diversity form an integral part of the country’s civilisational legacy. He stressed that safeguarding these traditions while embracing development is essential for building a culturally confident nation. Highlighting the state’s development, the Governor said Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed significant socio-economic progress over the years through improved road, rail and air connectivity, expansion of education and healthcare infrastructure, and growth in tourism, horticulture and hydropower sectors. He added that initiatives such as the Vibrant Village Programme, Frontier Highway projects, enhanced digital connectivity and investments in renewable energy are creating new opportunities, particularly in remote border areas. Arunachal Pradesh, he said, has emerged as a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy and a model of inclusive development that balances economic progress with environmental conservation and cultural preservation. Extending his good wishes on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, the Governor expressed confidence that the Chinmaya Amrit Yatra would spread the message of unity, spirituality and selfless service while inspiring citizens to contribute towards nation-building and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.