State News

KOLORIANG/DAPORIJO : The 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was observed with patriotic fervour and reverence at separate programmes held in Kurung Kumey and Upper Subansiri districts on Monday. At Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV), Koloriang, the commemorative programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a welcome address by the school principal, who highlighted the significance of Dr Mookerjee’s contributions as an educationist, parliamentarian and nationalist leader. Kurung Kumey District Art and Culture Officer (DACO) Taba Yalar delivered the keynote address, outlining Dr Mookerjee’s role as a statesman and advocate of national unity. He urged students to draw inspiration from his ideals of patriotism, integrity, selfless service and commitment to the nation. Teachers and students paid tribute to the leader by reflecting on his life and legacy. The programme concluded with the rendition of Vande Mataram and the offering of floral tributes. The event was jointly organised by the Kurung Kumey Department of Art and Culture and the District Information and Public Relations Office (DIPRO). In Upper Subansiri district, the birth anniversary was celebrated at Government Secondary School, Taliha, under the theme “One Nation, One Constitution.” The programme was organised by the District Art and Culture Office with active participation from students and teachers. Taliha Circle Officer Deewan Mara attended the programme as the chief guest, while Block Education Officer T Bagbi was the guest of honour. The celebration commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, floral tributes to Dr Mookerjee, and the singing of Vande Mataram and the National Anthem. The school headmaster welcomed the gathering and spoke on the significance of the occasion Students presented talks on the life and legacy of Dr Mookerjee, followed by patriotic cultural performances. Essay writing, painting and Preamble recitation competitions were also organised to promote awareness of constitutional values and national unity. Addressing the gathering, Mara urged students to uphold the ideals of patriotism, national integration and constitutional responsibility. He emphasised the importance of discipline, education and active citizenship in nation-building. Upper Subansiri DACO Ama Nungnu appreciated the enthusiastic participation of students and teachers and encouraged young people to uphold the values of unity, integrity and respect for the Constitution. (DIPR)        

TENZINGAON : The 91st birth anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was celebrated with spiritual fervour and cultural splendour at the Tibetan Settlement in Tenzingaon, West Kameng district, on Monday. The event drew a large gathering of monks, devotees, public representatives, government officials and local residents, reflecting the deep respect and admiration His Holiness continues to command across Arunachal Pradesh. Attending the celebration as the chief guest, Home Minister Mama Natung extended his greetings to His Holiness and lauded his lifelong commitment to peace, compassion, non-violence and universal human values. Natung said the teachings of the Dalai Lama continue to serve as a guiding light for humanity and acknowledged his enduring spiritual association with Arunachal Pradesh, noting that it has significantly enriched the state’s Buddhist heritage while strengthening the values of harmony and peaceful coexistence. Among those present were Tali MLA Jikke Tako, Thrizino-Buragaon MLA Tenzin Nyima Glow, Kalaktang MLA and chief patron of the celebration Tsetan Chombay Kee, North Eastern Council Member T N Thongdok, State Election Commissioner Rinchin Tashi, West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar, West Kameng Superintendent of Police D W Thongon, senior government officials, religious leaders and members of the community. The programme featured traditional Buddhist prayers, ceremonial offerings and cultural performances by artistes from MIPA, SIMPA and cultural groups from Rupa, Kalaktang, Shergaon and Tenzingaon, reaffirming the ideals of compassion, tolerance and universal brotherhood championed by His Holiness. The celebration concluded with special prayers for the long life and good health of the Dalai Lama, as well as for universal peace and the well-being of all sentient beings. (DIPR)

ZIRO : The Ziro Tourism Organisation (ZTO) marked a major milestone in community-led tourism by launching the valley’s first Tourist Information Centre during the annual Dree Festival, held from July 1 to 5 at the Hanoko Dree Ground in Hong. The initiative, aimed at making one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most celebrated cultural festivals more visitor-friendly, was implemented in collaboration with the District Tourism Office, the District Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and the Hapoli Forest Division. Throughout the five-day festival, the Tourist Information Centre provided domestic and international visitors with travel assistance, local information, safety guidance and logistical support, enhancing the overall visitor experience. A key highlight of the festival was the release of the Ziro Tourism Digital Directory by Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Tai Tagak, the chief guest of the 37th Hong Dree Festival. Developed by the ZTO, the digital directory serves as a comprehensive guide to local homestays, hotels, tourist guides, transport services and major attractions, enabling visitors to plan their trips more conveniently while promoting direct engagement with local service providers and the Apatani community. Despite heavy monsoon rains and flash floods that disrupted traffic along the Potin-Poosa road, the new tourism initiatives received an encouraging response. More than 100 independent and group travellers registered at the Tourist Information Centre during the festival, underscoring Ziro Valley’s growing popularity as a tourism destination. While the Dree Festival remains a deeply significant agricultural and cultural celebration of the Apatani community, the ZTO said the new initiatives are intended to promote responsible tourism by improving visitor services without compromising the valley’s ecological balance and cultural heritage. The organisation also noted that improved road, rail and air connectivity has made Ziro increasingly accessible to tourists, and initiatives such as the Tourist Information Centre and the Digital Directory are expected to further strengthen sustainable tourism while creating greater livelihood opportunities for local communities.

ZIRO/DAPORIJO : The annual Dree Festival, the premier agricultural festival of the Apatani community, was celebrated with traditional fervour and cultural splendour across Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, with the main festivities held in Ziro Valley and Daporijo. Thousands of people, including public representatives, government officials and members of the community, joined the celebrations, offering prayers for a bountiful harvest, prosperity and the preservation of the Apatani cultural heritage. In Ziro Valley, the celebrations were organised simultaneously at three major venues, each highlighting different facets of the community’s rich traditions while drawing enthusiastic participation from residents and visitors. The Central Dree Festival Committee (CDFC) organised the main celebrations at Biri Dree Ground in Hapoli, where the festival’s traditional agricultural rituals, community prayers and the 59th Central Dree Football Tournament were held. Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme and Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra attended the function as chief guests. At Siilang Ditting Dree Ground in Hija village, celebrations organised by the Siilang Ditting Dree Festival Celebration Committee featured the inaugural Apatani Fashion Week, showcasing traditional Apatani attire blended with contemporary designs. The event also included the 2026 Academic Excellence Awards, presented by the Hija Officers and Welfare Society to meritorious students. Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperation and Transport Minister Ojing Tasing, who attended the Hija celebrations as the chief guest, lauded the organisers for successfully integrating cultural preservation with youth empowerment and creative innovation. Meanwhile, celebrations at Hong Dree Ground in Hong village, attended by Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Tai Tagak as the chief guest, focused on preserving indigenous traditions through community feasts, traditional sports and cultural performances, including the renowned Konchi Danyi folk songs. The celebrations were also attended by public representatives, panchayat leaders, former minister Padi Richo, Tagin Cultural Society president, Gaon Buras, Gaon Buris and senior citizens from the region. Organisers expressed gratitude to the district administration, volunteers and cultural troupes for their support and appealed to the younger generation to continue preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage. The Apatani community in Daporijo, Upper Subansiri district, also celebrated Dree Festival with traditional enthusiasm at the Tagin Cultural Society (TCS) Secretariat. The programme was organised under the leadership of Duyu Lampong, chairman of the Dree Celebration Committee, and Pura Tagia, secretary, under the guidance of Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo, who served as the chief advisor. Daporijo MLA Taniya Soki, the chief patron of the celebration, commended the Apatani community for its discipline, progressive outlook and commitment to preserving its cultural identity while embracing development. He observed that the community’s ability to balance tradition with progress serves as an inspiring example. Dumporijo MLA Rode Bui, attending as the chief guest, praised the Apatani community for its resilience and significant contributions to the state’s development. He urged the younger generation to uphold the values of hard work, perseverance and cultural pride. Upper Subansiri Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Yadav, the guest of honour, appreciated the community’s rich cultural heritage and harmonious way of life, encouraging continued efforts to preserve traditional values while promoting peace and communal harmony. The celebration featured colourful traditional dances, songs and cultural performances reflecting the rich heritage of the Apatani community. It concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to preserving their cultural legacy while strengthening unity and mutual respect among the diverse communities of Upper Subansiri district.      

ITANAGAR : Health and Family Welfare Minister Biyuram Wahge on Sunday inaugurated the Apatani Heritage Tower at the Dree Ground in Itanagar during the Dree Festival celebrations, describing it as a lasting symbol of the Apatani community’s rich cultural heritage and collective spirit. The 10-storey tower, constructed entirely through community crowdfunding, stands as a tribute to the Apatani community’s enduring traditions, sustainable way of life and indigenous heritage. The structure features sculptures of a traditional Apatani warrior and woman at its base, while its summit is crowned with statues of an Apatani priest and lady, symbolising the community’s cultural identity and social values. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ziro-Hapoli MLA Nyabi Jini Dirchi and former minister Er Tage Taki, along with members of the Apatani community and festival organisers. Speaking on the occasion, Wahge lauded the community’s collective effort in constructing the landmark through public contributions, describing it as a shining example of unity and people’s participation in preserving cultural heritage. The monument also pays tribute to the Apatani community’s internationally recognised traditions of sustainable ecology, innovative agricultural practices and rich socio-cultural legacy, and is expected to serve as a prominent cultural landmark for future generations.