State News

ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his death anniversary, describing him as a great son of India, who “rekindled the country’s civilisational confidence” and introduced the timeless philosophy of Vedanta to the world. The chief minister said Vivekananda’s teachings on the divinity of every soul, and religious harmony and selfless service to humanity continue to inspire generations. “On the Nirvana Day of Swami Vivekananda, I pay my humble tributes to the great son of Bharat, who rekindled India’s civilisational confidence and introduced the timeless philosophy of Vedanta to a global audience,” Khandu said in a post on X. The chief minister highlighted Vivekananda’s historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, saying it marked a turning point in the way the western world engaged with India’s rich spiritual heritage. “His historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago marked a turning point in how many across the West engaged with India’s spiritual heritage,” Khandu said. “Through his lectures and writings, he presented Vedanta as a universal philosophy that affirmed the divinity of every soul, the harmony of religions, and selfless service to humanity,” the chief minister said. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also paid homage to Swami Vivekananda, describing him as one of India’s greatest philosophers and spiritual luminaries whose timeless message continues to inspire people across generations. “My heartfelt tribute to the great philosopher and spiritual luminary of India, Swami Vivekananda ji, on his death anniversary,” Mein said in a social media post. He said Swami Vivekananda’s message of “strength, self-belief, service to humanity and spiritual awakening” had awakened the spirit of a confident India and reminded the world of the profound wisdom of the country’s ancient civilisation. Calling upon people to follow Swami Vivekananda’s ideals, Mein urged everyone to remember his teachings and work towards building a “society rooted in character, compassion, knowledge and fearless dedication to the service of mankind”. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd.) has extended his warm greetings to the people of the state, particularly the Apatani community, on the occasion of the Dree Festival. He expressed hope that the sacred festival would usher in abundant harvests, peace, prosperity, good health and happiness for every home and community. In his message, the Governor described Dree as one of the most significant agricultural festivals of the Apatani community, reflecting its rich cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge and vibrant traditions. Celebrated with deep devotion and collective spirit, the festival symbolises the close bond between the people, nature and their traditional farming practices. He noted that through rituals and prayers, the community seeks divine blessings for timely rainfall, protection of crops from pests and diseases, fertile soil and a bountiful harvest. The Governor also expressed satisfaction that the younger generation is embracing the festival’s traditions and carrying forward the legacy of their ancestors. “By nurturing pride in our roots while embracing progress, we can ensure that this priceless heritage is passed on to future generations,” he said. Conveying his best wishes, the Governor prayed that Danyi-Piilo bless everyone with wisdom, harmony and prosperity, and that the spirit of Dree further strengthen the bonds of unity, compassion and well-being among all people.

JAIPUR : India successfully navigated one of the biggest global energy crises through proactive policies, diversified fuel sourcing, and strong diplomatic ties, with minimal burden on citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. The prime minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a refinery in Pachpadra of Balotra district. He also laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects. Modi said India expanded its energy imports significantly during the West Asia crisis. “When the crisis began, India was importing energy from about 25-26 countries. During the crisis, we increased this to more than 40 countries,” he said, attributing the turnaround to India’s diplomacy. He said oil companies incurred losses of over ₹75,000 crore between April and June due to rising global prices, but the government absorbed the burden. “We reduced excise duty by ₹10 per litre and ensured that the burden on citizens did not increase significantly,” he said. Rumours were spread, and people were incited, but those with malicious intentions did not succeed, Modi said. “Those who wished to see India fail had even begun making predictions. Today, they must be wallowing in the depths of despair,” he said. The prime minister said the country has become the world’s fourth-largest in refining capacity and continues to expand. He also credited his government’s long-term policies with overcoming global disruptions in fuel and fertiliser supply caused by the war between Iran and the US-Israel combine. On a different note, Modi said self-respect of an individual or a nation can remain high only when they are self-reliant. He said the BJP governments do not simply lay foundation stones for projects and leave them. “We work day and night to ensure their completion,” he said. Modi on Saturday inaugurated the country’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Pachpadra. The refinery is also Rajasthan’s first of any kind. Modi inaugurated the project by pressing a remote button after touring the refinery complex. The prime minister said the work on the refinery remained virtually at standstill when Congress was in power in Rajasthan from 2018 to 2023. (Source: PTI)      

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA), Kra Daadi Unit, has served a two-week ultimatum to the state government, demanding the immediate filing of a chargesheet in the alleged ₹183.13-crore Fisheries Department corruption case linked to Kra Daadi district. The organisation also expressed concern over what it described as an inordinate delay in the investigation and prosecution of the case. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Friday, the unit stated that the alleged corruption case pertains to FIR No. 18/2024, which was registered following observations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). According to the CAG report, an alleged illegal withdrawal of ₹183.13 crore was made from the Palin Treasury during the 2023-24 financial year without budgetary provision, administrative approval or expenditure authorisation. The association informed that it had submitted several representations to the state government and other concerned authorities, urging immediate action in the matter and providing sufficient time for the investigation to progress. However, it alleged that no concrete action has been initiated so far. Expressing dissatisfaction over the government’s silence, the unit said the continued delay in investigation and prosecution has raised serious concerns regarding accountability and transparency. The association has now extended a final two-week deadline to the state government to initiate action in the case, including the filing of the chargesheet. It warned that failure to act within the stipulated period would compel the organisation to launch democratic agitations across the state. The unit further informed that it had earlier submitted a representation to the concerned authorities on June 11, setting June 24 as the deadline for action. However, it alleged that neither the state government nor the concerned authorities responded to its demands, prompting the issuance of the fresh ultimatum.        

ITANAGAR : Law, Legislative and Justice Minister Kento Jini has urged the Centre to hand over the newly declared strategic Akajan-Likabali-Bame (ALB) Road project to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), as it has expertise in managing difficult border terrains. In a letter addressed to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday, Jini, while expressing gratitude to the Centre for declaring the ALB road as a ‘strategic road’, batted for BRO at a time when the portion of the Likabali-Basar-Bame-Aalo stretch remains cut off due to rain-triggered landslides and flash floods. He emphasised that the corridor serves as a socio-economic lifeline for seven border districts of the state, including Lower Siang, Leparada, West Siang, Shi Yomi, Siang, Upper Siang, and Upper Subansiri. Jini, who represents the Aalo East assembly constituency in West Siang, highlighted the major landslide at the Siji block point recently, which is still cut off, stranding thousands of commuters and cutting off vital connectivity to the seven districts. Seeking the Road Transport and Highway Ministry’s intervention, Jini requested that the BRO be reinstated as the implementing agency for the project. He said the road was originally constructed, managed, and maintained by the BRO before being transferred to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) during 2014-15. “Considering the proven track record, expertise, efficiency, and strategic importance of the project, it is believed that BRO would be the better organisation to implement the project efficiently within the stipulated time frame,” Jini said in his letter. He added that bringing back the BRO would ensure quality work, allowing the intended benefits of the strategic corridor to reach the public without further delays. (Source: PTI)