PASIGHAT, 7 Nov: The APLA@50 Outreach Connect – an initiative under the golden jubilee celebration of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (APLA) – reached Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC) here in East Siang district on Thursday.
The programme was organised in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), the nodal institute through its Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), with the aim of fostering civic awareness, political understanding and youth engagement in democratic processes.
The event commenced with a debate competition on the motion ‘Implementing One Nation, One Election streamlines the electoral process’. The debate saw active participation from students, reflecting their understanding of governance, electoral reforms and democratic responsibility.
Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh University Vice Chancellor Prof Tomo Riba in his keynote address encouraged the youths to cultivate awareness as the first step to being informed by observing their surroundings, keeping up with current affairs, and understanding Arunachal Pradesh’ geopolitical position.
He cautioned that the Northeastern region must remain firmly connected to the rest of India, both geographically and emotionally, to strengthen national unity.
Prof Riba further outlined a holistic approach to personal and national growth, beginning with knowledge, followed by skill development, creativity, and most importantly, the right attitude towards life.
“Without the right attitude,” he said, “all other efforts remain incomplete.” He urged students to actively participate in democratic processes, reminding them that non-participation in voting weakens democracy.
He drew examples from daily life, noting that while people often complain about issues like cleanliness, they rarely take initiative to improve them. “Many villages today are cleaner than cities because their people participate,” Prof Riba added.
He urged the students to stay positive, reject negativity, and maintain physical and mental fitness. Prof Riba described positivity and a strong sense of nationhood as essential attributes of responsible citizen.
MLA Tapi Darang recalled the one-day special session of the APLA held on 18 August 2025, whenthe state’s first chief minister had reflected upon the journey of Arunachal towards statehood.
Darang highlighted that roads are the true pathways to development, explaining how enhanced connectivity has transformed the socioeconomic landscape of the state.
He emphasised that a strong opposition is as important as a strong government, as it ensures accountability and strengthens democracy. Darang also reminded the students that citizens have the most crucial role in choosing good leaders, and said that leadership should begin in colleges and universities, where values of discipline and responsibility are shaped.
He encouraged students to cultivate ownership and pride in their institutions, stating, “If you cannot think of your institution as your own, how can you think of the nation as your own?”
The MLA added that, without a change in mentality, development remains superficial, and true progress can only emerge when individuals take active responsibility for their community and nation.
Assistant Professor of the Centre for Distance and Online Education, Rajiv Gandhi University, Dr Saurav Mitra elaborated the objectives of the programme.
He highlighted how the initiative has been connecting students from 25 affiliated colleges across Arunachal, serving as a vital platform for academic dialogue and civic education.
Dr Mitra also spoke about the various competitions launched under the Outreach Connect initiative, including essay writing and poster designing contests, designed to encourage critical thinking and creativity among students.
JNC Principal Dr Tasi Taloh in his address emphasised the importance of academic collaboration in nurturing an informed and responsible citizenry.
Dr Taloh expressed pride in hosting the APLA Outreach Connect, which bridges students with the democratic institutions of the state.
APLA Librarian Dedu Poyom also spoke.
