Flying balloons declare FoA open
By A O News Service
ITANAGAR | Feb 21 | The three-day Festival of Arunachal to mark 32nd Statehood Day celebration of Arunachal Pradesh begun at IG Park here today with Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra declaring it open and Chief Minister Pema Khandu releasing balloons to the applause of the huge gathering.
After unfurling the tri-colour earlier, the governor stressed on exhorted the people to be honest and transparent and stand against corruption to ensure that every rupee meant for development reach targeted beneficiaries. He stressed on healthcare, developmental projects, self-employment, entrepreneurship and fight against drug and gun menace before lauding Khandu’s commitment before Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Feb 15 to ensure total transparency in public expenditure.
While emphasizing on 100% literacy as education is the driving force of the society, he informed that the PM has advised to upload textbooks on the internet to solve the problem late receipt of textbooks in schools. Underscoring the importance of health, he exhorted the doctors to serve in the interior areas and advocated yoga practice by one and all. While organic farming holds key to good health, orchid growing, floriculture, orange, bamboo, handloom & handicrafts fields offer great opportunities to youth to prosper, he reasoned.
Informing that 3000 youth have applied online against 350 Indian Army vacancies, the governor, who had taken the initiative, assured to try for more vacancies in future.
Dr Mishra, who released the souvenir Saubhagya and launched PM Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, gave away Arunachal Ratna award posthumously to havildar Hangpan Dada, an Ashoka Chakra awardee, to his wife Chasen Lowang, state awards and CM’s Excellence Award in civil service before a cultural potpourri of different tribes was presented on the occasion.
The governor accompanied with dignitaries and his wife Neelam Misra inaugurated food and exhibition stalls and took round in the venue and interacted with representatives.
Dr Mishar along with CM met Uttar Pradesh troupe, invited to present Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme.
Doordarshan with its OB-Vans (outside broadcasting vans), Assam Talk (accessible through Tat Sky 1968) telecast the celebration live from the spot.
Though departmental exhibition and food stalls have been set up but State Forest Research Institute stall showcasing the unique flora of the state became cynosure of all eyes with the officers including SFRI range forest officer (research & experimental) Neelam Yania, a PhD holder from RGU, meeting queries of the visitors thronging the stall.
Many bamboo species collected from Sagalee are were also demonstrated on one side of the stall. Moreover, food stalls have been doing brisk business. (With PRO inputs)
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