Mein highlights role of space tech in Arunachal’s development
NAMSAI, Aug 20: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Thursday attended the inaugural programme of the National Space Day 2026 celebrations at Namsai, organised jointly by the Arunachal Pradesh Space Application Centre (APSAC) and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC).
The programme brought together students, scientists, officials and dignitaries to highlight India’s achievements in space science and technology and the growing relevance of space applications in the development of Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast.
Speaking on the occasion, Mein said India’s space programme has evolved from an endeavour focused primarily on exploration into a powerful instrument for nation-building and improving the lives of people. He highlighted the increasing use of satellite technology, remote sensing and GIS in areas such as disaster management, agriculture, natural resource mapping, infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring and governance.
The Deputy Chief Minister said space technology assumes particular significance for Arunachal Pradesh due to its vast geographical area, difficult terrain, rich natural resources and vulnerability to earthquakes, landslides and floods. Greater use of space-based technologies, he added, could strengthen development planning, disaster preparedness and sustainable management of natural resources.
Appreciating the participation of students and their interaction with ISRO scientists, Mein said such exposure would encourage curiosity, scientific thinking and innovation among young people. He stressed the need for continued engagement with institutions such as ISRO, APSAC and NESAC to inspire more students from the state to pursue careers in science, technology and related fields.
Mein also highlighted the contribution of APSAC and NESAC in bringing the benefits of space technology to the Northeast, particularly in resource mapping, agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure planning and environmental monitoring.
Later, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the site of the upcoming state-of-the-art Science Centre (Category-II) and 10-metre Dome Digital Planetarium (Category-II) at Namsai.
The facility is being developed under the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) of the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India. The project is being implemented by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), with the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology serving as the state nodal agency. The PWD, Namsai Division, is the executing agency for construction.
During the inspection, Mein reviewed the progress of construction and directed the executing agency to maintain quality standards and expedite the work. He urged the PWD to make every effort to complete the building ahead of the scheduled completion date of March 2028 so that the facility can be made operational for students and the public at the earliest.
Mein said the Science Centre and Planetarium would be an important addition to the state’s educational and scientific infrastructure, providing students and citizens opportunities to learn about science, astronomy and space exploration through interactive and modern technological platforms.
He described the project as an investment in the future of Arunachal Pradesh, saying that modern learning spaces would help nurture scientific temper, encourage innovation and prepare the state’s youth to participate in the growing technology and knowledge economy.
He further said that Arunachal Pradesh has immense potential to benefit from advancements in space technology and stressed the need to strengthen collaboration with national institutions for inclusive and sustainable development.
Mein said the state’s journey towards Viksit Arunachal Pradesh would be strengthened through greater investment in education, science, technology and innovation, in alignment with the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Minister for Science & Technology Dasanglu Pul, Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Secretary Science & Technology Wayong Khimhun, scientists from ISRO and NESAC, senior officials, students and other participants attended the programme.
The National Space Day celebration featured interaction with ISRO scientists, presentations on India’s space programmes and Moon missions, talks on space applications for societal benefit, an exhibition, audio-visual presentations and a quiz competition for students.