NEW DELHI, Aug 2: Arunachal Pradesh Governor BD Mishra met Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Thursday and requested her to visit and address the Idu Mishmi people of the state on the social challenges to the community.
As the defence minister is engaged in research on the Idu Mishmi tribe, the governor requested her to address the issues of marriage, taboos, cultural practices, and suicide cases. He shared his concerns and discussed about a holistic approach to the problems.
After studying the problems during his tour to Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts, the governor had deputed a team of medical officers and psychiatrists to study the issues of the community.
Mishra and Sitharaman also held discussions on recruitment of more youths from Arunachal Pradesh in the armed forces.
The governor expressed gratitude to the defence minister for initiating steps to maintain peace and tranquility in the frontier state and addressing the basic needs of the local communities living in the border areas through the army units located in the frontiers.
He also conveyed the goodwill of the people of the state for the new Arunachal Scout battalion.
Mishra, who has been spearheading an initiative with the serving armed forces officers of Arunachal Pradesh, called ‘Pay Back to Society Group’ (PBSG), informed the union minister that under the PBSG initiative, the officers would be coming to their home state Arunachal Pradesh and visit schools and colleges to motivate the youths to join the Indian armed forces.
He opined that this step would motivate many more youths of the state to be in the armed forces and defend the nation.
Mishra, who has toured all the districts and visited the last administrative circles on the international boundaries, shared his observations with the defence minister, and suggested making concerted efforts in addressing the issues under the border area development programmes.
The defence minister assured the governor that she would visit Arunachal Pradesh whenever invited. She conveyed her good wishes to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, and said that, as she has a close affiliation with the Mishmi tribe, Arunachal Pradesh is close to her heart. (PRO, Raj Bhavan)
