TAWANG, OCT 26:
Dream for United Arunachal (DUA) and the Monpa Mimang Tsogpa (MMT) have pledged to work together to promote grassroots welfare, community empowerment and awareness of government schemes across Arunachal Pradesh.
The two organisations held an interactive session in Tawang during an official dinner hosted by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. MMT president Phurpa Wangyal welcomed the DUA delegation and highlighted the role of civil society organisations in community development, social harmony and cultural preservation. He also appreciated DUA’s “EK AUR DUA” initiative, which seeks to promote empathy and unity across the state.
Wangyal outlined MMT’s social, cultural and welfare activities, including community awareness campaigns, educational support and efforts to preserve Monpa heritage. He also announced that MMT would organise a social service and cleanliness drive at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Itanagar in November. MMT secretary Tsering stressed the importance of stronger inter-district coordination and cooperation among youth groups and community organisations.
DUA chairman Gumjum Haider spoke about the vision behind the “EK AUR DUA” movement, describing it as an effort to promote unity, spread awareness of governance initiatives and connect remote communities with government services. DUA general secretary Suraj Tayum outlined the organisation’s formation and its work on administrative reforms, youth empowerment and social justice.
Bilaseng Namchoom highlighted the need to improve awareness and access to government welfare schemes, including the Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana, Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana. He said procedural difficulties and a lack of awareness could prevent eligible people in rural and border areas from accessing benefits.
Namchoom called for DUA and MMT to work together to help families, farmers and young people with documentation, registration and bank linkages so that eligible beneficiaries could access government schemes.
Earlier in the day, a DUA delegation led by vice-chairman Sonam Tenzin visited Lumla subdivision and Dudunghar, a border village near Bhutan, under the “EK AUR DUA” (Empathy, Kindness, Arunachal Unity Ride) initiative. The team paid tribute to late Jambey Tashi, former MLA and DUA chief patron, at his memorial museum.
The delegation also visited Gyalwa Jampa Lhakhang at Buri Bletting village near the Indo-Bhutan border and offered prayers at the Lhakhang and the monastery at Dudunghar. The site houses a 90-foot statue of Gyalwa Jampa, or Maitreya Buddha, atop a 23-foot pedestal.
The day also featured a football diplomacy match between DUA XI and MMT XI at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Stadium in Tawang. DUA XI won 5–2, with DUA general secretary Suraj Tayum opening the scoring and chairman Gumjum Haider netting twice. (DIPR)
