Itanagar, Feb 24: State Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik on Tuesday stated that unlike some other parts of the North East, Arunachal Pradesh has remained free from insurgency and continues to play a strategic role as a buffer between the Tibet region and the rest of India.
Interacting with a group of students from Jharkhand, Puducherry, and West Bengal under the Youth Exchange Programme at Lok Bhavan here, the Governor noted that Arunachal Pradesh stands as a living example of unity in diversity, with its numerous tribes and rich cultural traditions coexisting harmoniously. He further underlined its growing importance in India’s Act East Policy, describing the State as an emerging gateway for connectivity, cultural exchange and economic engagement with neighbouring regions.
Apprising the young visitors on their responsibilities as future leaders, the Governor encouraged them to perform, reform, and transform in their professional lives, while striving for technology-driven development. He urged them to keep their minds open to new ideas, yet remain firmly rooted in India’s rich cultural values and ethos.
He further called upon the youth to be innovative and enterprising, and to emerge as responsible contributors to society in the collective journey towards Viksit Bharat. He also advised them to be ideal citizens.
A total of 44 students from Jharkhand and Puducherry are visiting Arunachal Pradesh as part of Ashtalakshmi Darshan, a vibrant youth exchange initiative, while 37 youth from West Bengal are participating in an Interstate Youth Exchange Programme in Itanagar.
The Governor lauded the vision behind these initiatives, describing Ashtalakshmi Darshan as a far-sighted programme that bridges the youth of the North Eastern Region with the rest of the country. He also commended the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Govt of India, for its role in implementing the Interstate Youth Exchange Programme. He said that these programmes instill a sense of oneness and reinforce national integration.
Adding vibrancy to the programme, students from Jharkhand and Puducherry captivated the audience with lively cultural performances. Further, students of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) presented a diversity dance that gracefully showcased the rich and harmonious cultural mosaic of Arunachal Pradesh. The Governor hosted a ‘high tea’ for the visiting youth leaders along with RGU students, as a token of appreciation.