Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has asked young people to use education, innovation and entrepreneurship to contribute to a progressive and prosperous Arunachal Pradesh, while remaining rooted in their language, traditions and cultural identity.
Mein was addressing the valedictory session of Arun Pratibha Sammelan 3.0 – Scholars’ Meet, organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Arunachal Pradesh, at HIM International School, Itanagar, on Sunday. Education, RWD, Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona and RWD and SYA adviser Chau Zingnu Namchoom also attended.
Mein appreciated ABVP for organising the three-day residential scholars’ meet and for promoting education, student leadership, character-building and social responsibility among young people.
Recalling the state’s earlier constraints of limited educational infrastructure, poor connectivity and fewer opportunities, he said improvements in roads, railways, airways and digital connectivity had opened new avenues for the younger generation. He cited the Trans-Arunachal Highway, the Frontier Highway initiative, railway expansion and Donyi Polo Airport as enablers of education, trade, tourism and employment.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the Government was creating opportunities in sports, arts, music and entrepreneurship. He asked students to make use of these platforms and excel in their chosen fields.
He urged the youth to uphold discipline, hard work, patriotism and service to society. He also asked them to embrace modern education and technology without losing touch with indigenous languages, traditions, customary values and cultural identity, and to stay away from drugs and other harmful activities.
On the state’s economic prospects, Mein highlighted opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, tourism and entrepreneurship. He said Arunachal’s biodiversity, scenic landscapes and cultural heritage could support eco-tourism, adventure tourism and cultural tourism, generating livelihoods and sustainable growth. He also spoke of the responsible use of natural resources, including hydropower and minerals, for employment, revenue and development.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s description of the North-East as Ashta Lakshmi, Mein said the region’s natural resources could contribute significantly to India’s development. He said Arunachal’s youth had a role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
The State-Level General Knowledge Test, conducted by ABVP on July 4, 2026, saw participation from 16,438 students of 208 schools across Arunachal Pradesh. Two hundred meritorious students, selected as first-rank holders in the junior and senior categories, took part in the scholars’ meet.