ITANAGAR, Nov 4: The APLA@50 Outreach Connect reached Govt Model College, Geku today, marking yet another milestone in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the State Legislative Assembly.
Organized in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University with coordination by its Centre for Distance and Online Education, the programme sought to bring young minds closer to the State’s legislative legacy. The initiative connected colleges across the State, fostering academic reflection and civic engagement among students.
Dr Kuku Panyang, Principal GMC Geku, emphasized the role of higher education institutions in nurturing civic awareness and democratic understanding among youth, encouraging students to see themselves as key stakeholders in Arunachal Pradesh’s development journey.
Dr Saurav Mitra, Assistant Professor, Centre for Distance and Online Education, RGU, and the Institutional Coordinator of the Outreach Connect, elaborated on the objectives of the programme. He underlined that the initiative aims to bridge academia with governance by providing students a clearer understanding of the evolution, functioning, and democratic significance of the State Legislative Assembly.
Dr Mitra highlighted the range of competitions launched under the APLA@50 Outreach Connect, designed to foster student engagement through diverse formats such as debates, essay writing and cover designing competition. He explained that these activities aim to encourage students to explore the democratic process creatively while enhancing their understanding of legislative functions and civic responsibilities.
Representing the State Legislative Assembly, Dedu Poyom (Librarian), spoke about the importance of the APLA@50 milestone, noting that it represents five decades of legislative maturity, democratic resilience and inclusive governance. He expressed gratitude for the participation of the academic community in taking forward the Assembly’s mission to inspire informed youth leadership.
The highlight of the event was an enlightening keynote address by Dr Jommi Loyi, Principal Govt Model College Basar, who shared deep reflections on Arunachal Pradesh’s political, educational and social transformation over the past five decades.
Dr Loyi lauded the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly for its pivotal role in steering the State’s growth through inclusive and forward-looking legislation.
Describing Arunachal Pradesh as a ‘mini-India’, he highlighted how its cultural diversity has been harmoniously accommodated within the democratic framework, thanking the Assembly’s consistent commitment to equity and representation.
He also drew attention to the Ahom-Adi relations, tracing their deep historical roots and emphasizing their significance in shaping the region’s shared cultural heritage and political evolution. Dr Loyi noted that such inter-community ties stand as early examples of cooperation and coexistence, that continue to resonate in the State’s democratic ethos today.
Also, Dr Loyi connected the threads of Arunachal’s historical legacy with its modern political development, urging students to appreciate this journey and to carry forward the vision of participatory democracy and inclusive growth. His remarks inspired the gathering to reflect on the enduring relationship between culture, governance and education in shaping an empowered Arunachal.
Dr Loyi further urged students to uphold their constitutional values and contribute to building an inclusive and progressive Arunachal.
The event also featured a debate competition, encouraging students to articulate their perspectives on issues of governance, democracy, and leadership, followed by the prize distribution to the winners.
S K Dey, Senior Reporter, State Legislative Assembly, also spoke.