By Jackson Tayeng

ITANAGAR/KHENEWA, Jan 19:  “I want to be born again to feel this joyous moment and live a life with electricity”- this was the reaction from an elated native of Khenewa when asked about her feelings on the arrival of electricity in the village for the first time ever.
A remote Circle in East Kameng district, Khenewa got electricity in the first week of 2020, which is 45 years after its establishment in 1975 and 73 years after the country’s independence. It is a Circle Headquarters situated some 50 km from the District Headquarters, Seppa with more than 20 villages and at least a 6000 population. 
Continuing with her excitement, Mechik Pabing, says that like their generation, the present one had also never seen electricity in the area and life had been extremely difficult with children not being able to study after sunset. “I have a poor vision, but now I can work under light,” she added, extending gratitude to the local MLA and concerned authority.
 “Since decades we have never experienced electricity in this Circle and it has been a long wait spreading over four decades plus to get bulbs and fans in our homes and our lives so far revolved around kerosene lamps and candles… but not anymore,” said another denizen. He however added that although these are happier moments for Khenewa, there are still some other villages like Pangia where electricity is yet to reach and 'I hope government will do the needful.'
Kamlesh Kumar, a teacher in Government Middle School Khenewa added that it was the moment villagers had been waiting for and with the arrival of electricity, Smart Classes could be run successfully and it will be easier for students to study.

When asked about the development, local MLA 8 Bameng Assembly Constituency Goruk Pordung said his priority is to confer all basic amenities starting from electricity to education and road connectivity to health. “My constituency is really one of the backward areas as previous leaders had not done much for it,” he added. When asked about road connectivity, he said in next one year all existing dilapidated roads will be renovated and more road projects are likely to come up under the present government.

While responding to the shortage of government staff quarters and telephone connectivity in his constituency, Pordung informed that a meeting had already been conducted with the concerned department and assured that some development will come up soon.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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