State News

YINGKIONG : A Cooperative Mahotsav organised by the Upper Siang District Cooperative Union Limited was held at Grand Siang Hotel here on Thursday to promote cooperative enterprises, strengthen market linkages and enhance financial inclusion across the district. The programme brought together representatives of cooperative societies, Large-sized Adivasi Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS), government departments, the Reserve Bank of India’s MoneyWise Centre for Financial Literacy (CFL) Project, CFL Mariyang, CRISIL Foundation and other partner organisations. The event was attended by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Deputy District Development Manager Shivaji Munshi as the guest of honour and North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) Block Development Officer Md Abdul Rakib as the special guest. Upper Siang Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies Ojhon Lego, CRISIL Foundation Community-Based Organisation Kalinam, and CFL Mariyang field coordinators Geyang Ratan and Talling Perme were also present. Addressing the gathering, NABARD Deputy District Development Manager Shivaji Munshi highlighted the importance of business planning, value addition and institutional credit linkage for cooperative societies and LAMPS. He encouraged societies to prepare formal business plans and leverage banking and NABARD support to enhance production and expand market access. NERAMAC Block Development Officer Md Abdul Rakib spoke on procurement systems and value-addition opportunities for agricultural and horticultural produce. He also highlighted the onboarding of district products on the NERACE portal, developed jointly by the North Eastern Council (NEC), the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) and NERAMAC, to help local producers access wider markets. Officials of CFL Mariyang conducted interactive sessions on financial literacy and awareness, covering major central government welfare schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY). The District Extension Officer also assisted participants in documenting beneficiary details through the Field Input Reporting format. The programme also featured awareness sessions on the Reserve Bank of India’s MoneyWise CFL initiative and responsible credit use. During an interactive question-and-answer session, officials responded to queries from cooperative members and villagers on banking services, agricultural practices and government welfare schemes. The organisers said the programme aimed to strengthen rural livelihoods by improving financial awareness, enhancing market opportunities and promoting sustainable growth of cooperative enterprises in the district.    

HIJA : The grand finale of Apatani Fashion Week and Apatani’s Next Top Model 2026 concluded at Hija village in Lower Subansiri district on Thursday, celebrating Apatani culture, indigenous fashion and emerging modelling talent. The event featured runway presentations by designers Hibu Ollo, Leegang Ozeen and Taru Monya, whose collections blended traditional Apatani motifs with contemporary fashion. Cultural performances by the Dani Haj Puna Clan, the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Celebration Committee (SDDFCC) Daminda Dance Committee and the Diirey Nyimung Dance Group, along with a musical performance by Bullo Tajung, added to the festivities. The finale presentation, themed “Colours of Apatani,” showcased the finalists in traditional Apatani attire as well as contemporary fusion ensembles, highlighting the evolution of indigenous fashion while preserving the community’s cultural identity. One of the highlights of the event was the crowning ceremony, where the winners and runners-up were honoured in traditional Apatani attire instead of conventional western evening wear, symbolising cultural pride and reinforcing their role as ambassadors of Apatani heritage. The competition also recognised participants in various special categories. Tapi Kanya won the Best Runway Walk award, while Hibu Omang was adjudged Best Presence. Tage Chado and Kago Kaku received the Mr. Popular and Miss Popular titles respectively. Hiinyo Rilung was named Emerging Model Talent, Pura Kalyang received the Best Contemporary Styling award, Dani Nuri won Best Photogenic, and Koj Nampi was honoured for Best Traditional Interpretation. In the female category, Tadu Bini of Mudang Tage village was crowned the winner, while Hano Sumpi of Bamin village and Hage Konya of Hari village were declared the first and second runners-up respectively. In the male category, Nani Hao of Bulla village emerged as the winner. Mihin Lento of Tajang village and Tallo Doding of Hong village secured the first and second runners-up positions respectively. The winners received trophies, cash prizes, certificates, sashes and mementoes from dignitaries and fashion professionals associated with the event. Earlier, the programme began with a welcome address by the vice-chairman of the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Celebration Committee, while PH Construction Managing Director Tasso Hinda also addressed the gathering. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Siilang Diting Dree Festival Celebration Committee General Secretary and Apatani Fashion Week and Apatani’s Next Top Model Chief Executive Officer Kago Jorang, who acknowledged the contributions of designers, judges, sponsors, cultural groups, volunteers, media partners and the people of the Apatani Valley. Organised under the banner of Apatani Fashion Week, the event aims to provide a platform for indigenous designers, weavers, artisans and aspiring models while promoting the preservation and wider recognition of Apatani textiles and cultural heritage.      

ITANAGAR : The 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion National Cadet Corps (NCC), under the aegis of the NCC Group Headquarters Tezpur, concluded its 10-day Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC-68) and Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS) programme at Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic College (RGGPC), Itanagar, on Friday. The camp brought together 247 NCC cadets from across the state under the leadership of the Commanding Officer of 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion NCC. Despite persistent rainfall and weather-related disruptions, many cadets travelled from remote areas, with some taking long detours to reach the camp. The training was conducted with the support of 10 military personnel, four Associate NCC Officers (ANOs) and one Caretaker Officer (CTO), who supervised the training and welfare of the cadets. The camp received a morale boost with the visit of Brigadier Mayank Vaid, Commander of NCC Group Headquarters Tezpur, who interacted with the cadets and encouraged them to uphold the values of discipline, leadership and national service. The training programme familiarised cadets with the discipline and ethos of military camp life while providing instruction in physical training, field craft and battle craft, weapon handling and musketry, small arms firing, sword drill, yoga, games and personality development through expert lectures. A major component of the camp was the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme, under which cadets received disaster preparedness and emergency response training from certified instructors of the Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). The sessions covered disaster risk reduction, relief and rescue operations, and emergency management techniques to respond to floods, cloudbursts and earthquakes. The concluding phase of the camp featured Survival Day and Fun Day, aimed at strengthening teamwork, camaraderie and cultural integration through interactive activities and the sharing of traditional cuisines from different parts of the state. According to the organisers, the camp successfully contributed to the holistic development of the cadets by combining military-oriented training with leadership, discipline and disaster management skills.      

ITANAGAR : A one-day stakeholder consultation on “Drugs, HIV and Prison Health Responses” was held at District Jail Jully on Friday to discuss prison health, substance abuse prevention, HIV response and inmate rehabilitation. The programme was jointly organised by the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), the Recovery Wellness Society and the Srimanta Foundation for Culture & Society. The consultation brought together prison officials, inmates, faculty members of CDOE, and representatives of the organising organisations to promote awareness on prison health, correctional reforms and public health interventions aimed at addressing substance abuse and HIV transmission. Delivering the keynote address on the theme “Building a New Life,” former Assam Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta encouraged inmates to embrace hope, discipline and resilience while preparing for life after release. Stressing that everyone deserves a second chance, he urged them to become responsible citizens and contribute positively to society. Addressing the gathering, Arunachal Pradesh Inspector General of Prisons Tojo Karga highlighted the state’s efforts towards correctional reforms and inmate welfare. He urged inmates to use their period of incarceration for self-reflection, personal growth and behavioural change, adding that moderation in life is essential to avoid adverse consequences. He also said the prison has earned recognition as one of the best correctional facilities in the region and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to providing a safe and reformative environment. Earlier, CDOE Assistant Professor Kiri Taso welcomed the participants and resource persons. During the first technical session, Recovery Wellness Society founder and project head Anupam Rohit spoke on “Understanding Substance Abuse: Causes, Consequences, Recovery and Hope.” Drawing on his experience in addiction recovery, he said lasting recovery requires determination, self-discipline and a willingness to rebuild one’s life. He also emphasised that positive thinking and disciplined living are essential for successful reintegration into society. An educational documentary titled “Myths and Truths About Substance Abuse” was also screened to create awareness on addiction, treatment and recovery. The second technical session was conducted by Srimanta Foundation for Culture & Society trustee Dipankar Mahanta, who spoke on “Yoga, Spirituality and Inner Well-being.” He highlighted the role of yoga, meditation and spiritual practices in improving physical and mental health, emotional resilience and overall well-being, and encouraged inmates to adopt these practices in their daily lives. The programme concluded with an interactive session during which inmates shared their experiences and sought guidance on rehabilitation, addiction recovery and reintegration into society. CDOE Assistant Professor-cum-Coordinator Moyir Riba proposed the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to the prison administration, resource persons and participants for contributing to the success of the programme. One inmate, responding to a discussion on strengthening de-addiction initiatives in prisons, remarked, “It is not about what we want, or even what we need, but whether we are ready to work with what we have.”  

ITANAGAR : A fire triggered by a suspected electrical short circuit destroyed eight houses and left several families homeless here shortly after midnight on Thursday, officials said. Although no casualties were reported, the blaze reduced residential and rental property at Pappu Nallah area to ashes and caused losses worth lakhs of rupees. The fire broke out at Puroik Colony around 12.20 am, following which three fire tenders and 11 firefighters were deployed to the spot. After an operation lasting over three hours, the flames were brought under control, preventing further spread to adjoining structures, officials added. Officials said preliminary findings indicate that the blaze may have originated from an electrical short circuit in a rented house, based on the tenant’s statement. The exact cause, however, will be established after completion of the investigation. Officials said the first fire tender reached the site within minutes of receiving the distress call, while two additional tenders joined the operation. Later in the day, Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso, accompanied by officials of the Itanagar Capital Region district administration and the Ward No 13 corporator, visited the fire-ravaged locality to assess the damage. Immediate relief was extended to the affected families and tenants, while the MLA instructed the district administration to undertake a detailed assessment of the losses to facilitate compensation for eligible victims under the prescribed government norms. (Source: PTI)