Strap: Mein highlights Arunachal’s strides in infrastructure, education, healthcare and hydropower while calling for collective effort towards a Viksit Bharat
HT Correspondent
CHONGKHAM, Aug 16: Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, celebrated the 79th Independence Day in his home constituency, Chongkham, with a ceremonial hoisting of the National Flag at Pali Vidyapeeth Ground amidst an enthusiastic gathering of school children, public leaders, government officials and people from different walks of life.
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According to an official statement, Mein paid homage to India’s freedom fighters and remembered Arunachal Pradesh’s unsung heroes who resisted colonial rule.
He also lauded the contributions of soldiers, farmers, teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, workers and every citizen whose collective efforts, he said, strengthened Arunachal Pradesh and the nation.
Reflecting on India’s progress, Mein highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy.
He reiterated the national vision of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 and urged collective effort towards realising this goal.
The Deputy Chief Minister outlined significant achievements of Arunachal Pradesh, including its recognition as a Front Runner State in the SDG India Index 2023–24, a 100% adjusted net enrolment rate in elementary education, and being ranked as the best-performing State in law and order by India Today.
He also highlighted Siluk’s national recognition as a zero-waste model village and Jairampur’s selection as the cleanest town under Swachh Survekshan.
Mein emphasised ongoing connectivity projects such as the Frontier Highway and major bridges, along with expansion of health infrastructure through new medical colleges in Pasighat, Namsai and West Kameng, and the upgradation of TRIHMS into a postgraduate and super-speciality institute.
Declaring 2025–2035 as the Decade of Hydropower, he announced that 1.2 GW projects are operational, 4.8 GW are under construction, and mega projects including the Dibang Multipurpose Project are underway.
These, he informed, would bring investments worth ₹2 lakh crore to the State, while generating ₹4,000 crore in free power, ₹750 crore in Local Area Development Funds (LADF) and ₹2,000 crore in annual dividends to the State exchequer.
The Deputy Chief Minister also spoke about Mission Shikshit Arunachal, aimed at transforming education, and several initiatives to empower youth and women through entrepreneurship.
Referring to Namsai’s progress under the Aspirational District Programme, he called for collective efforts to elevate it into an “inspirational district.”
He announced that a Model Degree College at Piyong and a Medical College under PPP mode would soon be established in Namsai.
He also underlined the government’s commitment to preserving local heritage, adding that the Tai-Khamti language would be introduced as a third language in all schools and Buddhist temples in the district from Classes 1 to 8.
Urging citizens to work together for a Viksit Arunachal, Mein appealed for public participation in cleanliness drives, preservation of biodiversity, and active involvement in the Ek Ped Ke Naam and Nadi Utsav initiatives.
He further called for the protection of wildlife through the prohibition of illegal hunting and fishing.
As part of the celebration, meritorious students, dedicated citizens and participants were felicitated for their contributions to society.
The Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated exhibition stalls set up by Self Help Groups (SHGs) and government departments, showcasing Arunachal’s cultural heritage, sustainable farming practices, handicrafts and innovative projects.
On the occasion, he also launched KAT YEIN, a packaged drinking water brand from Momong village, developed through a convergence model by the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSLM) in collaboration with the Village Sanitation and Water Committee (VSWC), Momong.
Funded under SOR by the Zilla Parishad Member of 5–Chongkham Zilla Parishad, the initiative seeks to promote rural entrepreneurship, community ownership and sustainable income generation.
Revenue will be shared among ArSLM, the Panchayat and the VSWC to ensure economic benefits remain within the community.
The programme was attended by Inspector General of Police (Eastern Range) PN Khrimey, ADC Chongkham Kretkam Tikhak, ZPM Jenia Namchoom, PRI members, Gaon Burahs, SHGs, members of community-based organisations and government officials.
Later in the day, Mein inaugurated a Handloom Unit at The Prodigal Daughters Sisterhood Rehabilitation Centre in Chongkham, run by the Angulimala Welfare Society and funded by the ZPM Chongkham.
The initiative aims to empower women recovering from abuse and addiction by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Interacting with the inmates, the Deputy Chief Minister encouraged them to return to the mainstream as responsible citizens and to embrace a new life with hope, dignity and determination.
He said life is defined not by its beginnings but by the courage to overcome challenges and transform them into success stories.
The celebrations at Chongkham thus combined patriotic fervour with a strong focus on community empowerment, education, and sustainable development.
