HT Correspondent
KURUNG KUMEY, June 29: A four-day Indigenous Faith Awareness Campaign-cum-Free Eye Screening Camp concluded on June 28, marking a major milestone in community healthcare and cultural revival in Arunachal Pradesh’s Kurung Kumey district.
The programme was organised from June 25 to 28 under the leadership of Tadar Chachung, Assistant General Secretary of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), Western Arunachal.
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The event was jointly conducted by IFCSAP, Taniak Development Welfare Society (TDWS), Nyapin Nyobia Sangram Phassang Students’ Union (NNSPSU), and Karuna Trust, according to an official statement.
The campaign was flagged off with an inaugural programme at Koloriang on June 25, where Kurung Kumey Deputy Commissioner Chukhu Cheechung and District Reproductive and Child Health Officer (DRCHO) Dr Tadar Tagh formally launched the initiative.
A total of 275 patients were screened at the first camp, where 155 power glasses were distributed free of cost.
Nineteen cataract cases were also identified for further medical intervention.
On June 26, a joint meeting of IFCSAP’s Central Executive Council, its Kurung Kumey District Unit, and Indigenous Faith followers from the region resolved to revive the defunct Nyedar Namlo, a traditional Indigenous prayer centre in Koloriang.
Under the leadership of Tadar Chachung, a social service initiative was conducted alongside an inspection of the non-functional Tribal Heritage Centre and its adjoining land to plan future development efforts.
The campaign continued on June 27 with a medical camp at the Inspection Bungalow in Nyapin.
There, 255 patients underwent eye screening and 146 spectacles were distributed.
The medical team also detected 24 cataract cases, 69 high blood pressure cases, and 33 patients with random blood sugar (RBS) irregularities.
Later that day, an Indigenous Faith Awareness programme was held at Leya village under Phassang Circle, during which a Nyedar Namlo Lapang Committee was formed for Lungsa and Leya villages with Phassang Bachi as Chairman and Phassang Siba as Secretary.
Highlighting a strong cultural shift, BJP Kurung Kumey District President Phassang Bunghi pledged land for the construction of a new Nyedar Namlo.
Former pastor Phassang Sime, who previously served for six years, publicly declared his return to the Indigenous Faith and committed to initiating the construction of the prayer centre by winter through community-based crowdfunding, without seeking government aid.
Additional support came from Ringu Tapin, Vice President of IFCSAP’s Kurung Kumey Unit, who pledged his one-month salary for the construction of the new centre.
Speaking to the media, Tadar Chachung confirmed that all identified cataract patients from the camps would receive free surgeries at either TRIHMS in Naharlagun or Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Itanagar, depending on the patients’ preferences.
He reaffirmed IFCSAP’s commitment to making essential healthcare accessible to remote communities in ways that are culturally and personally appropriate.
The concluding camp was held on June 28 at Sango village, organised by the NNSPSU.
A total of 275 patients were screened, and 155 spectacles were distributed. The camp also recorded 19 cataract, 120 blood pressure, and 70 RBS cases.
In his closing remarks, Chachung pledged to present the concerns and aspirations of Koloriang, Nyapin, and Phassang before IFCSAP’s Central Executive Committee.
He expressed deep gratitude to all supporters, including MLA Er Tai Nikio, Deputy Commissioner Chukhu Cheechung, Dr Tadar Tagh, SDO Sangram Philip Tayeng, EE RWD Tawang Er Kipa Rinia, ZPM Nyapin Tadar Tadey, IFCSAP Kurung Kumey President Ha Tatu, Vice President Ringu Tapin, General Secretary Sangha Babung, Youth Wing President Bengia Tayis, Advisor Bengia Tado, senior citizen Chello Kama, TDWS Chairman Tadar Guntey, and BJP District President Phassang Bunghi.
The successful integration of healthcare outreach with cultural resurgence in Kurung Kumey through this campaign marks a significant stride in strengthening Indigenous identity and building community-driven development models.
