Arunachal
He also pledged a Rs 5 crore corpus fund to ensure the schoolโ€™s long-term sustainability, both commitments to be incorporated in the upcoming State Annual Budget.

Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein announced increased financial support for the Donyi-Polo Mission School for the Hearing and Visually Impaired in Itanagar.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the โ€˜Letโ€™s Speak Arunachalโ€™ workshop held at the school, Mein declared that the institutionโ€™s annual grant-in-aid would be raised from Rs 1.4 crore to Rs 2 crore.

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He also pledged a Rs 5 crore corpus fund to ensure the schoolโ€™s long-term sustainability, both commitments to be incorporated in the upcoming State Annual Budget.

The event, themed โ€œEmpowering Youth Voices and Building Pathways,โ€ focused on nurturing leadership and communication skills among differently-abled youth through public speaking and civic engagement.

Founded in 1990 by former Chief Minister Gegong Apang, the Donyi-Polo Mission School has been instrumental in providing free education, therapy, and vocational training to children with hearing, visual, and intellectual disabilities. Mein paid tribute to Apang, calling the school a beacon of hope for marginalised students, and reaffirmed the state governmentโ€™s continued support.

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As a gesture of encouragement for the studentsโ€™ vocational efforts, Mein directed his office to purchase gift paper bags made from recycled materials by the schoolโ€™s students. He also praised the initiative as a symbol of self-reliance and creativity.

Emphasising the importance of communication, Mein said that developing expressive and articulate youth is key to Arunachalโ€™s progress. He also lauded the efforts of Porsum Ori, founder of โ€˜Letโ€™s Speak Arunachalโ€™, and Secretary Tana Jiri for conducting workshops across the state to train students in public speaking.

Also present at the event were Secretary of Sports & Youth Affairs and Social Justice & Tribal Affairs Abu Tayeng, Director of Youth Affairs Ramesh Linggi, Principal Aravinda Dey, faculty members, parents, and students.