State News

ITANAGAR : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh unit, inducted several prominent youth leaders into the party during a mass joining programme held at its state headquarters here on Monday. The new entrants were led by former All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) president Tana Dozi Tara and former AAPSU general secretary Ritum Tali, along with several other youth leaders from across the state. The programme was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, State BJP president Kaling Moyong, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Gabriel D Wangsu, BJP state vice-president Chow Zingnu Namchoom, Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak, BJP state general secretary Tadar Niglar and other party leaders. Welcoming the new members, Mein stressed the importance of understanding the BJP’s ideology and participating actively in the party’s organisational activities with a spirit of voluntary service. He said that while student organisations primarily work for the welfare of the state, joining a political party carries a greater responsibility of serving both the state and the nation. Highlighting the state’s development, Mein said Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed significant progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, particularly in infrastructure and social sectors. He also acknowledged the contributions of earlier leaders in shaping the state’s growth while stating that development has gained new momentum under the present government. Addressing the gathering, Moyong urged the new members to work closely with party workers and strengthen the organisation from the Booth Level Committees (BLCs) to the mandal and district levels. He also advised them to coordinate with their respective mandal presidents and district units to maintain organisational discipline and cohesion. Reiterating the BJP’s guiding philosophy of “Nation First, Party Second, Self Last”, Moyong called upon the new entrants to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and the state. The newly inducted leaders include Tana Dozi Tara (Balijan), Ritum Tali (Liromoba), Suraj Tayem (West Seppa), Sonam Tenzing (Tawang), Karma Tsering (Dirang), Pakmik Taipodia (Likabali), Sohalo Ngadong (Anjaw), Tsangpa Tashi (Tawang), Marto Nyodu (Basar) and Pangngam Wangnaw (Pangchou-Wakka). The party said the induction of the youth leaders is expected to further strengthen its grassroots organisational network across Arunachal Pradesh.  

ITANAGAR : Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development Minister Gabriel D Wangsu on Monday called for a coordinated effort involving government departments, healthcare professionals, local bodies and the public to strengthen the ‘One Health’ approach for preventing zoonotic diseases. Stressing that animal and human health are closely linked, he urged citizens to ensure regular vaccination of pets, support scientific management of stray animals and actively contribute towards building rabies-free communities. Addressing the state-level World Zoonoses Day here, Wangsu said nearly 60 per cent of infectious diseases affecting humans originate from animals, while around 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases have an animal source, an official statement said. He said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for stronger coordination among veterinarians, doctors, environmental experts, civic bodies and communities to prevent future health emergencies. “Good health does not begin in hospitals alone. It begins in our homes, farms, villages and forests, where people, animals and the environment coexist. Protecting animal health is protecting human health,” the minister said. Earlier in the day, Wangsu inaugurated the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre at Ganga here, aimed at scientific management of stray animals, rabies prevention and promotion of animal welfare in the capital region. He also virtually inaugurated a similar centre at Namsai to extend the facility to eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The minister also released Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and launched a week-long Anti-Rabies Vaccination and Animal Birth Control Awareness campaign across the state. He administered a public pledge on responsible pet ownership, urging people to vaccinate their pets regularly, avoid abandoning animals and help create rabies-free communities. Highlighting the significance of World Zoonoses Day, Wangsu said the day commemorates the successful administration of the world’s first rabies vaccine by Louis Pasteur on July 6, 1885, marking a milestone in disease prevention. He praised the contribution of veterinarians, para-veterinary personnel and field workers, saying their work in vaccination, disease surveillance, food safety, emergency response and livestock healthcare plays a vital role in protecting public health. “Every time a veterinarian vaccinates a dog against rabies, an entire neighbourhood becomes safer. Their work goes beyond treating animals as they also protect human lives, strengthen food security and support the livelihoods of farmers,” he said. Appealing to the public to become partners in disease prevention, Wangsu urged pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats every year, never abandon pets and seek immediate medical attention in case of animal bites. He also asked livestock farmers to report unusual illnesses in animals promptly and encouraged communities to support humane stray animal management through scientific Animal Birth Control and anti-rabies vaccination programmes. The minister added that government efforts alone would not be enough to eliminate rabies and other zoonotic diseases and stressed that public participation was equally important. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Monday called for balancing development with environmental sustainability. Speaking at the ‘Van Mahotsav’ celebrations here, he urged the youth to preserve the state’s rich biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage. Mein said biodiversity, cultural diversity and sustainable development are closely linked and must be protected together. Emphasising that true progress lies in embracing modernity without losing cultural roots, the deputy chief minister urged the youth to preserve and promote Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous traditions, saying these practices have enabled communities to live in harmony with nature for generations. He said tree plantation drives should not end with planting saplings but success should be measured by the number of trees that survive. Expressing concern over the high mortality of saplings planted along roadsides and in public institutions, Mein appealed to schools, government departments, community organisations and citizens to take collective responsibility for nurturing every tree planted. He said Arunachal Pradesh is part of one of the world’s 12 biodiversity hotspots and is home to diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical evergreen forests to alpine regions. Researchers, he said, continue to discover new species of plants, insects, amphibians, fish and wildlife in the state, highlighting its ecological importance. Calling for greater efforts to protect rare and endangered plant species, Mein said taxonomy and ethnobotanical research play a vital role in documenting and conserving the region’s unique biodiversity. He encouraged students and researchers to develop scientific curiosity and contribute to conservation efforts. The deputy chief minister said environmental conservation and sustainable development must go hand in hand, adding that protecting forests, rivers and watersheds not only conserves biodiversity but also strengthens livelihoods, improves water security and supports rural development. He also expressed concern over indiscriminate hunting and the declining population of birds and wildlife, urging communities to promote responsible eco-tourism, bird-watching, trekking and other nature-based activities that generate sustainable livelihoods while protecting the environment. Highlighting the close spiritual and cultural relationship between Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous communities and nature, Mein said traditional respect for forests, rivers and mountains offers valuable lessons for sustainable living and should continue to guide future development. Referring to climate change, global warming, floods, landslides and soil erosion, he said these challenges underscore the need to maintain ecological balance. “Development must always be planned with environmental sustainability at its core,” he said. Mein also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the Northeast as ‘Ashtalakshmi’, saying the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ can be achieved only through the inclusive development of the region while preserving its biodiversity and cultural heritage. During the programme, the deputy chief minister was presented with Ophiorrhiza chownaii, a newly described plant species named in his honour for his contributions to environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable development. Accepting the recognition, he dedicated the honour to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the state’s natural heritage. The event was organised by the state regional centre of Botanical Survey of India (BSI) in collaboration with the G B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE), North East Regional Centre, here. The event began with a plantation drive at the BSI campus where Mein, along with scientists, academicians, researchers, NCC cadets and students, planted saplings as a mark of commitment towards environmental conservation. (Source: PTI)  

ITANAGAR : General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 4 Corps Lt Gen Neeraj Shukla called on Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik (Retd) at Raj Bhavan on Monday and discussed the prevailing security situation along the international border, border management and civic outreach initiatives in frontier areas. During the meeting, the two reviewed measures to strengthen border management and discussed welfare and outreach programmes being undertaken by the Armed Forces for people living in remote border villages. The Governor stressed the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance and regular patrolling in sensitive border areas to safeguard national interests. He also emphasised the need for close coordination between the Armed Forces and the civil administration, stating that real-time information sharing and a coordinated approach are essential for effective security management and timely response to emerging challenges. Parnaik commended the Armed Forces for their steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders and for their constructive engagement with local communities through various Sadbhavana initiatives. He noted that the outreach programmes, including the promotion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), coaching for students seeking admission to Sainik Schools and motivating youth to join the Armed Forces, have significantly contributed to improving access to education, healthcare and community welfare services in remote areas. He added that such initiatives have also strengthened mutual trust, goodwill and the spirit of national integration among the indigenous population. Shukla briefed the Governor on the operational preparedness of the 4 Corps, ongoing security measures and developmental outreach activities in border districts. He reaffirmed the Indian Army’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region and assured continued support to the civil administration and the people of Arunachal Pradesh.    

TEZU : Chairman of the Centre for Cultural and Literary Studies on Mishmis (CALSOM) and Convenor of the Lohit Youth Library Network Sokhep Kri on Monday urged young people to document more local stories to create future volumes of Mishmi-land Musings, describing the anthology as “a book of our own life stories.” Kri was speaking after releasing the second edition of the anthology at Bamboosa Library, Tezu. He said the book had received appreciation from eminent writers Y D Thongchi and Mamang Dai, adding that the anthology was written by library readers when they were studying in Classes VI to VIII. “The young writers could achieve this because they were active library readers,” he said, encouraging students to visit libraries regularly to improve their academic performance, self-confidence and public speaking skills. Referring to senior library volunteer Keselo Tayang, who was invited by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, to address Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer trainees on promoting rural libraries, Kri said the achievement reflected the growing recognition of the library movement in Arunachal Pradesh. On the occasion, Kri dedicated book gift sets received from the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC), New Delhi, to the Lohit Youth Library Network. He thanked the organisation for supporting young readers in the district and acknowledged the contributions of founder patron Prashant Lokhande, Indian Administrative Service officer, and senior IAS officers Kaling Tayeng, Nila Mohanan and Mitali Namchoom for facilitating the safe transportation of the books from New Delhi to Tezu. Kri also distributed prizes to winners of a rapid-fire quiz in the Kaman Mishmi language. Roshanso Tega secured first place, while Bomsaiso Bellai and Meena Mam jointly won second prize. Sopliam Manyu received the third prize. He congratulated the Forum of Library Activists for organising programmes to promote literary traditions in the Kaman and Tawra Mishmi languages. Speaking on the occasion, Lohit Youth Library Network Coordinator S Mundayoor recounted the publication of the first edition of Mishmi-land Musings. He thanked eminent writer and Padma Shri awardee Arup Kumar Dutta for editing the anthology and paid tribute to the late Padma Bhushan awardee Prof Manoj Das for his message of encouragement to the young contributors. Receiving the newly released edition, Forum of Library Activists chairperson Keselo Tayang thanked Kri for his sustained support to the library movement and expressed gratitude to the Arunachal Pradesh Department of Indigenous Affairs for providing financial assistance for the publication. Earlier, senior volunteer Bethem Marai highlighted the Forum’s initiatives to promote literary activities in the Kaman and Tawra Mishmi languages, while Banika Kri welcomed the gathering.