State News

TAWANG : The Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps on Sunday organised a Yak Mela at Groleteng, nearly 15,000 feet above sea level near the sacred Taktsang Gonpa, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and pastoral traditions of the Brokpa community. The event was attended by 5 Mountain Division General Officer Commanding Major General Amit Nautiyal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tawang Rinchin Leta, Tawang Brigade Commander Brigadier Bhupal Singh, senior Army and civil administration officials, representatives of paramilitary forces, Gaon Burahs and members of the Brokpa community. Addressing the gathering, Major General Nautiyal lauded the resilience, courage and indomitable spirit of the Brokpa people living in the remote border areas. He acknowledged their steadfast support to the security forces despite the region’s difficult terrain and harsh climatic conditions. Reiterating the Indian Army’s commitment to both national security and the welfare of border communities, he said the Army would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and creating better opportunities for future generations in these strategically important frontier regions. The General Officer Commanding also appealed to the community to continue extending its wholehearted support to the security forces. Encouraging the younger generation to pursue careers in the Indian Army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), he urged students to aspire for admission to Sainik Schools and assured them of the Army’s guidance and training. As part of the programme, Major General Nautiyal distributed blankets to members of the Brokpa community and felicitated participants, students and local achievers for their enthusiastic participation in the Yak Mela. The event showcased the unique traditions, customs and pastoral way of life of the Brokpa community while reinforcing the longstanding bond between the Indian Army and the people of the border villages. It also underscored the shared commitment to preserving indigenous heritage and promoting inclusive development in the frontier region. (DIPR)

ANINI : Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Bekir Nyorak conducted a two-day inspection tour across Arzoo, Mipi and Anini circles on July 18 and 19 to review the progress of key infrastructure and development projects in the district. On the first day, accompanied by district officials, the DC inspected the Roing-Hunli (Greenfield Alignment) road project under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE), being executed by M/s DRA-ITL (JV) under the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Expressing concern over the pace of work, Nyorak directed NHIDCL and the executing agency to expedite construction by deploying adequate manpower and machinery to ensure timely completion of the project. Describing the road as strategically significant, he said it would strengthen connectivity, facilitate the movement of heavy machinery for major infrastructure projects, including the Etalin and Athunli Hydroelectric Projects, and improve access to border areas. NHIDCL officials informed that the project has achieved 82.32 per cent physical progress and is expected to be opened for Light Motor Vehicle traffic by October 2026. The DC also visited the proposed site for the Sub-Divisional Officer headquarters at Arzoo and appreciated the Melo Clan for donating land for the project. He directed the Land Management Branch to carry out a preliminary survey and prepare a master plan to ensure adequate land is earmarked for future educational, healthcare, administrative and security infrastructure. On the second day, Nyorak inspected eco-tourism resort projects at Gipulin, Emuli and Mipi being developed under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I). Stressing quality construction and timely execution, he said the projects would promote sustainable tourism, generate local employment and strengthen the economy of border villages. The implementing agencies informed that all the projects are targeted for completion by August 2026. The DC also reviewed the functioning of the Health and Wellness Centre at Mipi and directed the concerned departments to address issues related to waterlogging, construction of a boundary wall and upgradation of the existing infrastructure on priority. The inspection highlighted the district administration’s focus on ensuring timely completion of critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity, tourism and public service delivery across Dibang Valley. (DIPR)    

LEKHI : Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing on Sunday expressed confidence that the state’s emerging basketball players have the potential to excel at the national level as he inaugurated the 6th State-Level Inter-School Basketball Tournament 2026 at Khinia Sports Arena in Lekhi. Organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Basketball Association (APBA), the championship has brought together 48 teams and nearly 600 players from across the state. The week-long tournament features competitions in the Under-15 and Under-19 boys’ and girls’ categories. Launching the championship with a ceremonial tip-off, Tasing said the enthusiastic participation reflected the growing popularity of basketball in Arunachal Pradesh and highlighted the immense sporting talent among the state’s youth. He said sports are not merely about winning medals but also about building discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership, adding that the values learnt on the playing field help shape responsible citizens. Urging participants to make the most of the tournament, the Minister encouraged them to compete with passion, integrity and true sportsmanship while showing respect to teammates, opponents, coaches and match officials. Expressing optimism about the future of basketball in Arunachal Pradesh, Tasing said many of the young athletes participating in the championship possess the potential to emerge as future champions and bring laurels to the state at national competitions. He also wished all teams a safe, competitive and memorable tournament, stating that such events provide invaluable competitive exposure while fostering friendship, discipline and sporting excellence. According to the organisers, the championship has been designed to identify and nurture promising basketball talent from schools across Arunachal Pradesh, with the best performers expected to represent the state at higher-level competitions. Among those present at the inaugural function were Sports and Youth Affairs Special Secretary Akshat Kaushal, Sports Director Tadar Appa, West Siang District Sports Officer Eken Bam, APBA Chief Patron Pema Norbu Thongchi, APBA President Donyi E. Ori and General Secretary Dikto Kare.      

SHERGAON : In a first for Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-CICFR), Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, organised a one-day training-cum-awareness programme on the use of vaccines in rainbow trout farming at Shergaon in West Kameng district on Saturday. Organised in collaboration with the District Fisheries Development Office (DFDO), Bomdila, under the Department of Fisheries, the programme focused on promoting vaccination as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics for disease management in aquaculture. It was conducted under the institute’s North Eastern Region (NER) Activity 2026-27. Around 25 rainbow trout farmers from West Kameng and Bichom districts participated in the programme and interacted with experts on fish health management, disease prevention and sustainable trout farming practices. District Fisheries Development Officer (DFDO) Pema Khandu Thungon welcomed the chief guest, Shergaon Zilla Parishad Member Chong Khandu Lama, ICAR-National Fellow Dr Neetu Shahi of ICAR-CICFR, who developed the rainbow trout vaccine against Lactococcus garvieae, and the participating farmers. During the technical session, Dr Shahi highlighted the advantages of vaccination over routine antibiotic use, stating that vaccines provide long-term protection against bacterial diseases, improve fish survival and productivity, and significantly reduce dependence on antibiotics. She also cautioned that indiscriminate use of antibiotics in aquaculture contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing risks to aquatic animal health, food safety, environmental sustainability and public health. She encouraged farmers to adopt vaccination and other preventive health management practices for sustainable aquaculture. Speaking on the occasion, Chong Khandu Lama lauded ICAR-CICFR and Dr Shahi for developing the rainbow trout vaccine and for bringing scientific knowledge directly to farmers in the remote trout-farming region of Shergaon. He said such interventions would strengthen sustainable coldwater aquaculture in Arunachal Pradesh. As part of the programme, ICAR-CICFR distributed five deep freezers to selected rainbow trout farmers under the NER Activity 2026-27. The equipment will help maintain the cold chain, improve fish storage, reduce post-harvest losses and support value addition and marketing of rainbow trout products. The programme concluded with an interactive session, field trials of the vaccine and collection of clinical samples from selected trout farms. Farmers expressed keen interest in adopting scientific fish health management practices and appreciated the institute’s efforts to bring advanced technologies to the farming community. The vote of thanks was delivered by District Fisheries Development Officer Pema Khandu Thungon, who also coordinated the programme and acknowledged the support extended by ICAR-CICFR towards the development of rainbow trout farming in the state. (DIPR)