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Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT : Sixteen-year-old David Chetri of East Siang district brought laurels to Arunachal Pradesh by winning a bronze medal in the Junior Male Individual Kata event at the 10th Cadet, Junior, Under-21 and Senior South Asian Karate Championship and the 2nd South Asian Karate Cup 2026, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 15 to 19. A Class XII student, David represented India in the Junior (16-17 years) category and secured a podium finish against some of South Asia’s top karate athletes, marking a significant achievement for both East Siang district and Arunachal Pradesh. Describing the championship as a valuable learning experience, David said he was delighted to bring an international medal to the state. “The experience was really good. I am happy to bring an international medal to East Siang District and Arunachal Pradesh. The level of competition was completely different from the state and national championships. Everyone expected me to perform well, and I am glad that my result came out well. I will continue working hard and aim to win a gold medal for India in the future,” he said. David credited East Siang District Karate-Do Association (ESDKA) President Advocate Vijay Mize and his coach and father Ajay Chetri for their constant guidance and encouragement throughout his journey. Congratulating his son, Ajay Chetri described David as a sincere, disciplined and dedicated karateka and expressed confidence that he would continue to excel and one day win a gold medal for India. He also thanked Pasighat East MLA Tapi Darang for extending financial assistance and continuous encouragement that enabled David to participate in the international championship. He acknowledged the support of the East Siang District Olympic Association, particularly its President Tamat Gamoh and Secretary Advocate Vijay Mize, as well as parents of karate students, well-wishers and supporters. The ESDKA said David’s achievement has brought immense pride to the district and would inspire more young athletes to pursue karate at higher levels. The association organised a reception for the medal winner on Monday to celebrate his accomplishment. The ESDKA is affiliated with the Karate India Organisation (KIO), which is recognised by the Asian Karate Federation and the World Karate Federation. David represented India through this recognised system at the South Asian championship in Dhaka.    

KHONSA : A motivational workshop on “Inner Beautification Through Inner Power” and “Values in Life” was organised by the Brahma Kumaris at Kamlesh Joshi Hall in the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Khonsa, on Tuesday. Officers and staff of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office attended the programme and actively participated in the interactive session. Speaking during the workshop, resource person BK Ram Avtar Agarwal highlighted the importance of cultivating inner strength through positive thinking, self-awareness and meditation. He said true beauty is reflected through qualities such as self-respect, compassion, humility, patience and inner peace, and encouraged participants to develop emotional resilience to face personal and professional challenges. Delivering a lecture on “Values in Life,” Agarwal stressed the significance of honesty, integrity, discipline, responsibility, respect, cooperation and empathy in everyday life. He observed that value-based living promotes workplace harmony, strengthens decision-making and enhances the quality of public service. The participants were also introduced to Rajyoga Meditation, with the resource person explaining its role in reducing stress, improving concentration and promoting mental well-being. They were encouraged to adopt a balanced lifestyle by integrating spiritual values into their daily routine. The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion and a vote of thanks. Participants appreciated the sessions, stating that the teachings would help them lead more peaceful, purposeful and value-oriented lives while discharging their public responsibilities. The interactive programme will continue till July 23. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR : Thousands of youths on Monday organised a protest rally here in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk and demanded stringent action against alleged examination paper leak scams, calling for greater transparency and accountability in the country’s competitive examination system. Organised by a youth group, the rally began at Akashdeep, a prominent commercial complex, and concluded at IG Park nearly 2 km away, with participants carrying placards and raising slogans in support of Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past two weeks along with members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protesters alleged that repeated incidents of leaked examination papers have undermined the credibility of competitive tests and eroded the confidence of students and job aspirants who spend years preparing for them. Wangchuk and the CJP have been demanding action against those responsible for alleged examination paper leak cases across the country, with particular focus on the NEET paper leak controversy. They have also sought greater accountability in the education system and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. As the procession moved through the state capital, participants urged the authorities to ensure free, fair and transparent examinations, saying merit should not be compromised by corruption or malpractice. Speakers at the gathering said the issue has a direct bearing on the future of millions of students and stressed the need for reforms to restore public confidence in the examination system. The rally concluded peacefully at IG Park, where the protesters reaffirmed their support for Wangchuk’s campaign and vowed to continue their agitation until concrete measures are taken to strengthen the integrity of competitive examinations. Wangchuk joined CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke’s protest and sat on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28. He was forcibly taken to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday by the Delhi Police on the 21st day of his fast. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh’s Congress unit on Monday backed the nationwide ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign against examination paper leaks, accusing the Centre of jeopardising the future of students and youths across the country. In a statement, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) spokesperson Johny Yangfo alleged that repeated examination paper leaks had created uncertainty among students and questioned the Centre’s handling of the education system. He claimed that the issue had affected the future of lakhs of aspirants and called for urgent reforms to restore confidence in the examination process. The Congress leader said the party’s nationwide campaign, led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, aimed to reach out to students and highlight their concerns. Yangfo said the campaign sought to raise awareness about issues affecting the country’s youth and press for greater accountability. Alleging that the government had failed to address recurring paper leaks, Yangfo said students continued to suffer due to lapses in the examination system. He also criticised the Union education ministry, claiming that such incidents would continue unless corrective measures were taken. The leader further referred to the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk and accused the government of suppressing dissent instead of responding to public concerns. He claimed that protests against the alleged failures of the government had drawn widespread attention both within the country and abroad. Expressing concern over reports of students allegedly taking the extreme step following examination-related issues, he urged the government to listen to the voices of the youth and take concrete action to safeguard their future. Yangfo said thousands of youths in Arunachal Pradesh had joined the campaign and voiced their support for the nationwide movement. The APCC, under the leadership of its president Bosiram Siram, would continue to stand with students and raise the issue until their concerns were addressed, he added. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona on Monday reviewed key initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s library network and promoting the stories of Arunachal Pradesh’s unsung heroes through an innovative partnership with Amar Chitra Katha. Chairing a review meeting of the Department of Libraries, Sona deliberated on measures to modernize the library ecosystem and make public libraries more relevant to the needs of today’s learners. The meeting focused on introducing the Book Cafe concept to encourage a stronger reading culture among students and youth, while transforming libraries into modern learning centres equipped with digital resources and collaborative spaces. The minister also reviewed the feasibility of upgrading Circle Libraries into District Libraries wherever required and directed the department to conduct a comprehensive gap analysis covering infrastructure, staffing and operational requirements. Emphasizing the importance of libraries, Sona said they must evolve into vibrant centres of knowledge and lifelong learning. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating accessible, future-ready library spaces that inspire learning and innovation across Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier in the day, the minister also held a meeting with officials of the Department of Public Libraries and representatives of Amar Chitra Katha to explore a collaborative initiative for preserving and promoting the stories of the state’s unsung heroes. The discussions centred on developing engaging comic books and 2D animated educational content based on the documented lives of Arunachal Pradesh’s unsung heroes, making their stories more accessible and inspiring for young readers. The proposed publications are planned as supplementary reading material for students of Classes VI to X and will be published in English, Hindi and selected tribal languages to ensure wider outreach across the state. Sona interacted with Deepesh Kothari, Vice President, and Rajesh K V, Deputy Head – Brand Stories, of Amar Chitra Katha to explore avenues for the collaboration. The Department of Public Libraries will coordinate the publication and dissemination of these learning resources across the state. Stating that the state’s heroes deserve to be remembered and celebrated, the minister expressed confidence that the initiative would instil pride in Arunachal Pradesh’s rich history, strengthen reading habits among students, and inspire future generations through the remarkable stories of its people. (Source: UNI; Photo: Facebook-PD Sona)