HT Correspondent
BASAR, Sept 22: The Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (APLA) marked another milestone in its Golden Jubilee celebrations by successfully hosting the APLA@50 Outreach Connect Programme at the Government Model College, Basar.
The event, organised in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), brought together legislators, academicians and students in a day-long exchange aimed at deepening civic awareness and strengthening youth participation in democratic life.
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More than 200 students of Government Model College, Basar, attended the programme, which combined debate competitions, keynote lectures and interactive sessions.
The atmosphere reflected both the solemnity of the occasion and the enthusiasm of the young participants eager to engage with the principles of democracy.
The proceedings began with the National Anthem, setting a tone of unity and patriotism.
Dr Jommi Loyi, Principal of Government Model College, delivered the Welcome Address.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the event and underlined the crucial role of higher education institutions in preparing students to become responsible citizens who contribute meaningfully to the state’s progress.
Explaining the broader objectives of the outreach series, Dr Nyajum Lollen, assistant professor at RGU’s Centre for Distance Education, highlighted that the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between the legislature and the student community.
According to him, the programme is designed to instil democratic values among the youth, equipping them to take on active roles in governance and public life.
A highlight of the programme was the Keynote Address delivered by senior advocate Kenbom Bagra.
In his detailed exposition, Bagra traced the historical evolution of the Fundamental Rights and Duties enshrined in the Constitution.
He observed that while rights empower individuals to assert their freedoms, duties remain essential for maintaining the moral and social order of society.
He urged the young audience to move beyond a textbook understanding of these duties and internalise them as guiding principles in their daily lives.
His call for embracing civic duties as moral responsibilities drew wide appreciation from both students and faculty.
The event also witnessed spirited participation in the debate competition.
Winners were honoured during the prize distribution ceremony, which celebrated not only their oratory skills but also their grasp of democratic principles and social responsibility.
The recognition served as encouragement for students to continue engaging critically with issues of governance and public life.
Adding to the significance of the day, local legislator Nyabi Jini Dirchi, MLA from the 29th Basar Assembly Constituency, delivered an inspiring address.
She described the event as a matter of pride for the constituency, especially in the Golden Jubilee year of the Assembly.
Reflecting on Arunachal Pradesh’s journey from its days under the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) to the present, Dirchi paid tribute to the foresight and sacrifices of past leaders who had laid the foundations for the state’s development.
She called upon the youth to uphold this legacy, urging them to prepare themselves for future responsibilities as custodians of democracy.
In an interactive session that followed, she engaged directly with students, answering their questions on leadership, governance and the challenges of public service.
The programme drew to a close with a vote of thanks delivered by Dedu Poyom, Librarian of the Legislative Assembly.
He extended appreciation to all dignitaries, faculty members and students for their active participation, which had ensured the success of the Basar edition of the outreach programme.
By the end of the day, the APLA@50 Outreach Connect Programme had left a lasting impression on the young participants.
It reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to making democratic values accessible to the younger generation and to nurturing their potential as informed, responsible stakeholders in Arunachal Pradesh’s legislative and democratic journey.
