Arunachal Dy CM inaugurates school, stadium in Pasighat; calls for ‘no hunting’ at Unying A:ran Spring Carnival

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 18, 2025

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Monday inaugurated a newly constructed school auditorium and football stadium at Independent Golden Jubilee Govt Higher Secondary School (IGJGHS) in Pasighat. The facilities, developed under the IGJGHS School Heritage Redevelopment Initiative by Pasighat Smart City Development Corporation Ltd, aim to boost educational and sports infrastructure in the state.

The school auditorium will serve as a venue for cultural events, academic discussions, and community activities, while the football stadium provides a dedicated space for sports development. “These facilities reflect the government’s commitment to holistic education and world-class infrastructure for students,” Mein stated.

Later, Mein attended the Unying A:ran Spring Carnival at Gi:di Notko Festival Ground, Pasighat, as the Chief Guest. The festival, celebrating Arunachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage, featured the unveiling of the Na:nyi Me:té Portrait & Ritual Taku-Tabat and traditional performances, including the Mega Yakjong Dance and Tapu Dance, symbolizing unity and cultural pride.

Mein praised this year’s festival theme, ‘No Hunting’, acknowledging the Adi community’s shift from a traditional hunting festival to one advocating for wildlife protection and environmental conservation.

“This is not just a cultural event but a movement to preserve biodiversity. Protecting our flora and fauna is a responsibility we owe to future generations,” he said, urging collective efforts to restore Arunachal’s lost wildlife and make the state a sanctuary for birds, animals, and fish.

He commended the Unying A:ran Celebration Committee for promoting wildlife conservation, calling on citizens to pledge against rampant hunting. Minister of Education, Tourism, and Parliamentary Affairs P.D. Sona echoed this sentiment, urging people to stop hunting and consuming wild meat to break the cycle of poaching.

In the evening, dignitaries attended a drama directed by Sangeet Natak Academy member Delong Padung, reinforcing the festival’s message of wildlife preservation.

The festival was attended by Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao, MLAs Tapi Darang (Pasighat East), Oken Tayeng (Mebo), Tojir Kadu (Nari-Koyu), Oni Panyang (Geku-Mariyang), Ninong Ering (Pasighat West), Talem Taboh (Rumgong), Puinnyo Apum (Dambuk), State BJP President Kaling Moyong, Director of North East Zone Cultural Centre Prashanna Gogoi, Padmashree awardee Sentila Tsukjem Yanger, and State Convenor of National Trust for Art, Culture & Heritage (Nagaland), among others.