State News

ITANAGAR : Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd.) has extended greetings to the people of Arunachal Pradesh on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas and paid tribute to the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces whose courage, patriotism and supreme sacrifice safeguarded the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In his message, the Governor said Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed every year on July 26, commemorates India’s historic victory in the 1999 Kargil War, fought over 83 arduous days on some of the world’s highest and most challenging battlefields. Despite extreme weather, rugged terrain and hostile conditions, Indian soldiers displayed unmatched bravery, determination and professionalism, he said, adding that the victory was not merely a military achievement but a testament to the resilience, unity and indomitable spirit of the nation. “The courage displayed by the Kargil heroes continues to inspire generations of Indians to place the nation above all else,” the Governor said. Paying homage to the martyrs and veterans of the Kargil War, Parnaik expressed hope that their legacy would continue to inspire the people to uphold the values of patriotism, national unity, duty and sacrifice, while strengthening the collective resolve to build a strong, secure and prosperous India.

ZIRO : The Department of Art and Culture, Ziro, organised a district-level inter-school essay writing competition at Dani Kunia Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Ziro, on Saturday as part of the nationwide two-year commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Students from various schools across Lower Subansiri district participated in the competition, reflecting on Dr Mookerjee’s contributions to nation-building, education and industrial development. Speaking on the occasion, District Art and Culture Officer Tapi Rimu said Dr Mookerjee’s life continues to inspire young people through his integrity, intellectual leadership and commitment to national service. She said the inter-school competition was aimed at promoting healthy academic competition among students while encouraging them to reflect on Dr Mookerjee’s legacy of unity, service and patriotism. The entries are being evaluated by a panel of senior educators on the basis of originality, depth of thought and clarity of expression. The winners will be announced and felicitated with trophies and certificates during the district-level Independence Day celebrations on August 15. The administration of Dani Kunia GHSS and representatives of participating schools appreciated the Department of Art and Culture for organising the event. The department reaffirmed its commitment to organising youth-centric programmes and commemorating significant historical milestones across Lower Subansiri district.

Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), East Siang Zilla, organised a Prabuddha Nagarik Sanghoshti (Intellectuals’ Meet) at the College of Agriculture auditorium in Pasighat on Saturday, bringing together more than 50 intellectuals from across the district. The participants included professors, doctors, engineers, teachers, government officials and young entrepreneurs. The programme served as a platform for discussions on issues of social and national importance. RSS Prant Pracharak Kamlesh Kumar and Prant Sampark Pramukh Dr Kaling Jerang addressed the gathering, outlining the history, philosophy and organisational journey of the RSS. The speakers highlighted the organisation’s contributions to nation-building, social service, character development, disaster relief, education and cultural preservation. They also elaborated on Panch Parivartan, the RSS’s five-point roadmap for social transformation during its centenary period, which focuses on social harmony, strengthening family values, environmental consciousness, civic responsibility, and fostering national pride and cultural rootedness. Participants were urged to contribute towards these objectives through individual and collective efforts. The interactive session witnessed discussions on a range of contemporary issues, including the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable farming practices, preservation of indigenous languages and customs, promotion of indigenous faith, education, youth development and the role of intellectuals in nation-building. Participants appreciated the constructive exchange of ideas and stressed the need for continued dialogue on issues concerning society and national development. The programme was coordinated by RSS East Siang Zilla Sampark Pramukh Enuk Libang, who thanked the participants for their contributions to the event.    

ITANAGAR : The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), Shillong, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, organised an awareness webinar on the Corporate Mitra Scheme on Friday for students, youth, professionals, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and entrepreneurs in Arunachal Pradesh. The webinar was held as part of the Corporate Mitra Scheme Awareness Campaign for the Northeast in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU). The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) served as the lead co-host, while The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) participated as supporting co-hosts. The scheme aims to strengthen MSMEs, particularly in Tier-II cities, by creating a pool of trained and accredited Corporate Mitras to provide affordable and accessible professional support in areas such as regulatory compliance, taxation, accounting, governance and financial management. The initiative also seeks to equip young graduates with industry-relevant skills, thereby enhancing their employability. Officials said the scheme is expected to strengthen the MSME ecosystem while generating employment opportunities, particularly in the Northeastern region, by enabling enterprises to focus on innovation and business expansion while meeting statutory requirements. The programme has an initial pan-India target of 2,000 participants, including 200 from the Northeast, with candidates from the region eligible for a 50 per cent concession in course fees. For the Northeast, IICA Shillong has been designated as the nodal agency to coordinate with state governments, universities, industry bodies and other stakeholders for promotion and implementation of the scheme. Registrations for the Corporate Mitra course opened on July 15 and will remain open until July 31. Delivering the welcome address, IICA Shillong Officer on Special Duty and Nodal Officer for the Corporate Mitra Scheme in the Northeast Debarun Kalita acknowledged the guidance of IICA Director General Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh in conceptualising and developing the programme. Kalita said the initiative was designed to address challenges faced by MSMEs, particularly in the Northeast, including regulatory compliance burdens, limited access to affordable business advisory services and the need to improve the ease of doing business. ICMAI President Chittaranjan Chattopadhyay, in his keynote address, highlighted the importance of building a skilled professional workforce to support MSMEs and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. ICMAI Vice-President Manoj Kumar Anand emphasised the need for a supportive ecosystem for both young professionals and MSMEs, while Rajiv Gandhi University Department of Commerce Head Prof Rama Chandra Parida encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities offered under the scheme. The technical session was led by ICMAI Registered Valuers Organisation Managing Director CMA (Dr) S K Gupta, who explained the objectives, implementation framework and key components of the scheme. The presentation was followed by an interactive session addressing participants’ queries. More than 150 students, faculty members and aspiring professionals from various institutions across Arunachal Pradesh participated in the webinar. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, IICA, partner institutions and organisers for the successful conduct of the event. (DIPR)    

ITANAGAR : The Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) on Saturday carried out a demolition drive, removing small roadside shops and temporary structures near the Chief Minister’s residence at Niti Vihar as part of its anti-encroachment and beautification initiative. Speaking on the drive, IMC Corporator Taksing Tai said that several makeshift shops and temporary structures had come up along the roadside, adversely affecting the area’s appearance. He said such encroachments create an untidy environment and leave a poor impression on both visitors and local residents. “The objective of this drive is to beautify Itanagar and keep public spaces free from encroachments,” Tai said. Appealing for public cooperation, he urged shopkeepers and residents not to occupy roadside spaces with temporary structures and requested those who have encroached on public land to remove such structures voluntarily to help maintain the city’s cleanliness, aesthetics and orderly urban environment. (Source: UNI)  

ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has urged Arunachal Pradesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Biyuram Wahge to ensure uninterrupted pharmacy services in the Capital Region, expressing concern over disruptions caused by a dispute between certain pharmacies and sections of the media. In a representation submitted to the Minister, the union said the ongoing standoff has begun affecting access to medicines, particularly for patients requiring regular medication for chronic illnesses and those in need of emergency treatment. AAPSU said reports received by the union indicated that hundreds of patients and their families were already facing difficulties in procuring essential and life-saving medicines, warning that the situation could worsen if timely intervention is not made. While acknowledging the need for strict enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and other applicable laws to ensure lawful and ethical functioning of pharmacies, the union maintained that regulatory action and unresolved allegations should not disrupt access to essential medicines. It urged the Minister to restore normal functioning of all licensed pharmacies in the Capital Region, order a fair, transparent and time-bound inquiry into the allegations, take action against violators without penalising compliant establishments, and facilitate dialogue among the pharmacies, media representatives and other stakeholders to prevent further escalation. Responding to the representation, Wahge, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, issued a directive to the Director of Health Services enclosing a copy of the AAPSU representation. The Minister instructed the Director to examine the matter on priority and ensure that the availability of essential medicines in the Capital Region remains unaffected.      

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : Itanagar Capital Police have arrested former Central Bank of India, Ganga Branch Branch Manager, Vivoto V. Zimo, for allegedly cheating beneficiaries and misappropriating funds released under various government welfare schemes, including the Atmanirbhar Pashupalan Yojana (ANPPY) and the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana (DDUSY). Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Superintendent of Police (SP) Jummar Basar said the case came to light after a beneficiary lodged a written complaint at the Itanagar Police Station, alleging that the subsidy amount sanctioned under a government scheme had been fraudulently withdrawn by the bank manager. Based on the complaint, a case was registered on July 9 and an investigation was launched. During the course of the investigation, police identified 18 victims, with the total alleged misappropriation estimated at around ₹3.23 crore. SP Basar said the accused had been absconding during the investigation but was apprehended from his residence in Dimapur, Nagaland, on July 15 with the assistance of the Dimapur Police. According to the SP, the accused allegedly misused pre-signed withdrawal slips obtained from beneficiaries to siphon off loan and subsidy amounts. The funds were reportedly routed through multiple bank accounts before being invested in cryptocurrency and the stock market. Police said the investigation is still underway to ascertain the full extent of the fraud and identify any additional victims or accomplices. The Capital Police have appealed to beneficiaries of government schemes who suspect irregularities in their accounts to come forward with relevant documents and assist in the investigation.