PASIGHAT, Oct 7 : Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju will be the chief guest at the grand celebration of 'Vande Mataram @150' – marking 150 years of India's National Song – to be held at Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) on October 8.
The national-level commemoration, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is being organized by the University’s Department of Mass Communication.
The celebration is significant as it brings a national cultural programme of this scale to the easternmost frontier of the country – Pasighat, the oldest town of Arunachal Pradesh and gateway to the Siang region.
According to the university, more than 200 students from 12 schools and colleges across East Siang participated in a month-long series of competitions as prelude events, including marathon, essay writing, painting and poster making, singing and poetry. Forty-seven winners have been selected and will be felicitated during the grand ceremony.
Welcoming the Chief Guest, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ashan Riddi said the university family is honoured to welcome Kiren Rijiju to APU.
"We at Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, are deeply honoured to welcome Kiren Rijiju as Chief Guest for Vande Mataram @150. His presence in Pasighat is a great encouragement for our students, faculty and youth of the frontier. Being a son of Arunachal, his journey inspires our students from the farthest villages of Anjaw and Longding," Prof. Riddi said.
Thanking the Ministry of Culture, Prof. Riddi said, "I express my gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India for sponsoring this programme and giving APU, a three-year-old state university, the opportunity to host a national commemoration of this scale. This shows the Ministry's commitment to take Vande Mataram to the frontiers – to the villages where the sun first rises."
Speaking on preparations, the Vice-Chancellor said all arrangements are complete.
On the importance of Vande Mataram, Prof. Riddi said, "Vande Mataram is not just a song; it is the soul of our nation. When we sing Vande Mataram from Pasighat, from the Siang frontier, we worship Bharat Mata from the easternmost corner of India. The theme we have chosen – 'Song, Nation and Frontier' – reflects this spirit."
The academic highlight is the national seminar, which received 70 abstracts from across the country and abroad. Fifty-eight papers have been selected, 36 online on October 7 and 22 offline on October 9. The book of abstracts will be released by the chief guest on October 8.
The inaugural ceremony on October 8 will also witness the inauguration of the newly constructed Main Gate of APU, tree plantation under 'Ek Ped Ek Bharat', and the Exhibition and Community Zone. Vande Mataram rendition by the winner of the singing competition and cultural performances showcasing Singpho, Galo and Wancho traditions will be presented.
The valedictory and offline seminar will be held on October 9.
The university informed that apart from the chief guest, several public representatives and leaders are also slated to attend the programme. Among those expected are Kaling Moyong, BJP State President. Local legislators including Oken Tayeng, MLA of Mebo, Tojir Kadu, MLA of Nari-Koyu, Tapi Darang, MLA of Pasighat West, and Ninong Ering, MLA of Ruksin, are also slated to grace the occasion along with Gaon Burahs, PRI members and other dignitaries.
The university is expecting a gathering of around 1500 participants comprising students from schools and colleges, faculty members, members of the general public and district administration officials.

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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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