Itanagar, Feb 21: On the occasion of the 40th Statehood Day of Arunachal Pradesh, Governor Lt General (Retd) KT Parnaik conferred the State Gold and Silver Medals on distinguished individuals and organisations in recognition of their outstanding service, exceptional courage and exemplary contributions to the state in a ceremony held at the Durbar Hall of Lok Bhavan here on Friday. He also presented the Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for the year 2025.
The State Gold Medal was awarded to Havildar & Honorary Naib Subedar Lekhi Passang (Retd) of the 2nd Battalion, Arunachal Scouts; whistle-blower Late Gyamar Padang, Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission; and Women Police Station, Pasighat.
The State Silver Medals were conferred on Vishakha Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Kurung Kumey district; Philip Jerang, Assistant Commissioner, Riga, Siang district; Deewan Mara, Circle Officer, Zemithang, Tawang; Niyang Pertin, Circle Officer, Pangin, Siang district; Dr Peter Tayeng of District Hospital, Longding; Ganesh Das, Sub-Inspector, PHQ, Itanagar; Jomlo Monku Mithun Farmer Federation (NGO), Siang district; Rinzin Pema, social worker, Dirang; Sanjay Taram, Sub-Divisional Officer, East Siang district; Sange Thinley, Superintendent of Police, Namsai; Kengo Dirchi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, ICR; Radhe Obing, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Papum Pare; Biri Karba, Range Forest Officer, Namdapha Wildlife Range, Changlang; and Chukhu Tatek, Assistant Sub-Inspector (SG), 4th IRBn, PTC, Banderdewa. Deepsikha Trust, Navi Mumbai and Mountain Dwellers SHG, Lileng village, Boleng, Siang district also received the Silver Medal.
The Governor also conferred the Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration to the Urban Development Department, West Siang district for Aalo Town Beautification and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 initiatives; Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission for institutional reforms; District Urban Development Agency, Namsai for septage management with treatment plants in cluster towns; Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Longding for establishing a Multi-Purpose Sports Hub and Recreational Park at Kanubari; and District Administration, Women & Child Development, West Kameng for the Tech-Vadi Anganwadi Centre initiative. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and an honorary scroll.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, MP Tapir Gao, Cabinet Ministers, legislators, senior officials and dignitaries attended the ceremony. Later, the Governor and the Chief Minister interacted with the awardees and guests over high tea at the General Bipin Rawat Hall of the Lok Bhavan.
Guv, CM exchanges Losar greetings
Chief Minister Khandu called on Governor Parnaik at Lok Bhavan on Friday during which the duo exchanged greetings on the occasion of Losar, the Tibetan Buddhist New Year.
Extending his good wishes to Khandu, the Governor expressed hope that this Losar, the ‘Year of the Fire Horse’ would usher in a year filled with happiness, contentment, good health, and peace. The festival, which marks a fresh beginning in the Buddhist calendar, carries a message of harmony, renewal, and collective well-being for people across communities, he said.