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ITANAGAR, AUG 20: The All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) has urged the Centre to shift the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Regional Office, currently functioning from Tezpur in Assam, back to Itanagar, warning that continued delay could force it to launch a “rigorous but peaceful and democratic movement”. In separate representations submitted to Union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju and BJP national president Nitin Nabin, ANSU said the regional office was meant to cater to Arunachal Pradesh and its continued functioning from another state was creating administrative difficulties and affecting coordination and monitoring of strategically important road projects. The union has also approached Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao, Rajya Sabha member Tai Tagak and state BJP president Kaling Moyong seeking their intervention. ANSU president Ashok Doka said Arunachal Pradesh, being a strategically important frontier state, requires accessible and responsive institutions for effective supervision of major road infrastructure projects, including the Frontier Highway. The union said the MoRTH regional office had earlier functioned from Itanagar before being shifted to Tezpur. It argued that its restoration to the state capital would facilitate better coordination with the state government, district administrations, executing agencies and local stakeholders, besides enabling quicker resolution of field-level issues. ANSU also said the regional office has reportedly been assigned additional jurisdiction over Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya, but maintained that this should not become a ground for keeping the office outside Arunachal Pradesh. It instead sought adequate manpower, technical officers and infrastructure to enable the office to discharge its responsibilities from Itanagar. The Arunachal Pradesh government has also backed the demand. In a letter dated August 17 to the MoRTH secretary, the state public works department said the request had merit in view of the state’s administrative requirements and public convenience, and asked the ministry to take an appropriate decision favourable to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. ANSU claimed that certain road syndicate groups and other vested interests may be attempting to influence the functioning of the regional office for their own benefit. It said such allegations, if established after appropriate verification, would raise concerns over transparency and responsive governance. The union said it had earlier approached Chief Minister Pema Khandu on July 7 over the issue and appreciated the state government’s subsequent efforts to pursue the matter with the Centre. It, however, warned that failure to consider the demand within a reasonable timeframe would be viewed seriously and could be treated as “step-motherly treatment” towards Arunachal Pradesh. ANSU expressed hope that the Centre would take an early decision and restore the MoRTH Regional Office to Itanagar.      

TEZU, AUG 6: The Lohit district administration organised the first Inter-School Mishmi (Kaman and Taroan) Speech Competition at Amik Ringya Hall here to promote and preserve the indigenous language, culture and traditions among the younger generation. The competition was held in two categories, with students in the Taroan category speaking on “Solid Waste Management” and those in the Kaman category addressing “Opium Cultivation and its Ill Effects”. Addressing the gathering, the Lohit Deputy Commissioner stressed the need to encourage children and youth to learn and use their mother tongue, noting that several indigenous languages of Arunachal Pradesh are facing the threat of decline. While acknowledging the importance of Hindi as a language of wider communication, he said indigenous languages remain closely linked to the identity, culture and traditions of local communities. He called upon Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), parents and other stakeholders to ensure that children use their native languages at home and in the community. He also said the District Administration would endeavour to make the competition a regular calendar event, providing students with a platform to learn, speak and take pride in their indigenous languages. Lohit ZPC Basanlu Dellang, who attended the programme as chief guest, commended the initiative and said the themes chosen for the competition addressed important social concerns. She highlighted the adverse social, health and developmental impact of opium cultivation and the need for responsible solid waste management. Dellang said such initiatives could promote indigenous languages while sensitising young people to pressing social issues. Sunpura ZPM Gulapso Bellai underscored the close relationship between language and community identity, saying the disappearance of a community’s language and traditions could gradually erode its identity. Tezu ZPM Baplalum Chiba urged people to use their local language in everyday life and appealed to CBOs, including CALSOM, to organise more programmes for the promotion of indigenous languages and traditions. CALSOM Chairman Sokhep Kri appreciated the district administration’s initiative and said the organisation had developed literature in local languages and undertaken various measures for the preservation of Mishmi language, culture and traditions. He informed that a Language Development Committee had also been constituted for the purpose. Kri suggested extending the initiative to Anjaw district to cover a wider section of Mishmi-speaking communities. He also proposed recording the speeches of winners, particularly those dealing with opium cultivation and solid waste management, and developing them into awareness videos to promote the Mishmi language while disseminating socially relevant messages. The competition brought together elected representatives, educators, parents, CBOs and students, highlighting the importance of collective efforts to preserve Mishmi language, culture and traditions for future generations. (DIPR)    

NAMSAI, AUG 20: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) conducted a session on banking, financial services and agricultural credit for B.Sc. Agriculture students of Arunachal University of Studies (AUS) Namsai as part of Module 3 of the Bank Attachment Module under the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) and Agro-Industrial Attachment (AIA) Programme 2026. NABARD Assistant General Manager (District Development) Kamal Roy conducted the session, which aimed to familiarise students with the banking and financial ecosystem and its relevance to agriculture, rural development and agri-entrepreneurship. The session covered the basics of banking and different types of banks operating in India, including public sector banks, private sector banks, Regional Rural Banks and cooperative banks. Special emphasis was given to the cooperative credit structure, including the Short-Term Cooperative Credit Structure and Long-Term Cooperative Credit Structure, as well as Urban Cooperative Banks. Students were also introduced to banking products and services such as savings and current accounts, recurring and fixed deposits and remittance facilities. The importance of financial inclusion and social security schemes, including subsidies and interest subvention, was also discussed. The session further covered insurance and risk management, mutual funds and basic investment concepts. The roles of key financial regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), were explained. Roy also familiarised students with development financial institutions such as NABARD, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), National Housing Bank (NHB), Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi), and their roles in supporting agriculture, rural development and micro, small and medium enterprises. Given the students’ agricultural background, particular focus was placed on agricultural and rural credit mechanisms such as the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The session highlighted their role in improving access to formal finance, strengthening collective action, value addition and market linkages. Students were also briefed on entrepreneurship, skill development and agricultural extension programmes, including Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC), Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). Opportunities and schemes available in Arunachal Pradesh were discussed in the context of entrepreneurship, employment and rural development. The session highlighted emerging career avenues for agriculture graduates in banking, agri-finance, FPO management, agri-enterprises, insurance, rural development and agri-fintech. Students were encouraged to develop skills in financial literacy, project preparation, credit appraisal, market linkages and risk management alongside their technical knowledge of agriculture. An interactive question-and-answer session enabled students to seek clarification on agricultural credit, KCC, subsidies, insurance, entrepreneurship financing, FPOs and career opportunities in the financial and rural development sectors. The programme provided students with practical exposure to the financial ecosystem supporting agriculture and rural development and highlighted the role agriculture graduates can play in connecting farmers with formal finance, technology, markets and government development programmes.    

PASIGHAT, AUG 20: H-Spring Foundation celebrated its third Foundation Day at its campus in Pasighat on Wednesday, reaffirming its commitment to promoting inclusion, dignity and equal opportunities for children with special needs and their families. Retired IRS officer Bandhana Deori attended the programme as Chief Guest, while Deputy Director-cum-District Child Protection Officer M Taku was the Guest of Honour. Among those present were CDPO Minam Taloh, BRO Col Ashish Raisinghani, Mirku Head Gaon Bura Obuk Dupak, Mirku GPC C Gao, representatives of the Department of Social Work Arunachal Pradesh University, parents, donors, philanthropists and well-wishers. H-Spring Foundation Chairperson Dr Oimang Megu presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the organisation’s three-year journey, vision, major initiatives and achievements in supporting children with special needs and their families. The celebration featured a cultural programme presented by children and women staff of H-Spring Integrated School. The children showcased their talents through dance, singing and poem recitation and presented handmade cards and crafts to the dignitaries. Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries appreciated the Foundation’s efforts towards creating an inclusive and supportive environment for children with special needs. They also acknowledged the contribution of philanthropists and donors whose support has helped sustain and expand the Foundation’s programmes. Entering its fourth year, the Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its programmes, expanding outreach and creating an environment where every child is valued, supported and provided opportunities to learn, develop and participate meaningfully in society. The programme concluded with a note of gratitude to the guests, parents, staff, community members, donors and well-wishers for their continued support.    

ITANAGAR, AUG 20: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) observed Sadbhavna Diwas at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here on Thursday to mark the 82nd birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. APCC Working President Tanga Byaling, along with senior party leaders, office-bearers and members, paid floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi’s portrait and statue and recalled his contributions to nation-building, youth empowerment, technological advancement and the modernisation of India. The gathering highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s emphasis on scientific and technological progress, youth empowerment, democratic institutions and development at the grassroots. On the occasion, the Congress leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals associated with Rajiv Gandhi, including national unity, secularism, inclusive development, social justice, democratic values and progress for all. Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of a modern and inclusive India was recalled as an enduring source of inspiration for the nation and the Congress Party.