ITANAGAR, Nov 13: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday announced a comprehensive, phased infrastructure development plan for Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Itanagar, assuring that the institution’s long-pending infrastructure requirements would be addressed in a coordinated manner.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the college’s 46th Annual College Week celebrations, Khandu said a dedicated officer from the Chief Minister’s Office would coordinate with the Public Works Department, Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Department, and Electrical Department to assess and address the college’s requirements.
He said DNGC had around 49 acres of land available for expansion and that the demands placed before the government through a memorandum submitted by the college administration and students’ representatives were genuine. The proposed projects would be examined holistically and taken up for approval and sanction in phases, he assured.
Responding to the students’ demand for better sports facilities, the Chief Minister also assured that the development of a football ground would be taken up.
Highlighting the government's investment in education, Khandu said Rs 3,100 crore had been invested in the first phase of Mission Shikshit Arunachal. The second phase had commenced with an initial allocation of Rs 1,500 crore, which would be enhanced after assessing the requirements.
He expressed confidence that the infrastructure gaps identified by DNGC would be incorporated into the mission's efforts to strengthen educational institutions across the state.
Established in 1979, DNGC is among the oldest colleges in Arunachal Pradesh and currently has an enrolment of 5,102 students, the Chief Minister said. He noted that the institution had produced alumni who had contributed to the state in various fields, including politics, business, agriculture, public service and community organisations.
Emphasising the need to align higher education with emerging opportunities, Khandu called for implementing the vision of the National Education Policy 2020 through multidisciplinary learning, skill development, research and innovation.
He also highlighted the Arunachal Academic Excellence Scheme, under which eligible students securing admission to globally recognised universities ranked among the top 150 in the QS World University Rankings receive government scholarships. He encouraged students to aim for leading international institutions and avail themselves of the scheme.
Referring to initiatives to promote youth talent, Khandu said programmes such as Arunachal Idol, Mr Arunachal, Miss Arunachal and Arunachal Got Talent had provided platforms for young people to showcase their abilities beyond the state.
In sports, he said Arunachal Pradesh had won more than 1,000 medals at national and international competitions over the past decade and had secured representation at the Asian Games for the first time. The government was also working to strengthen sports infrastructure across the state, including at DNGC.
He also referred to youth-oriented initiatives such as Battle of Minds, Spelling Wizard, Science League and Maths Olympiad, aimed at promoting academic competition and identifying talent at the school level.
The proposed annual Arunachal Yuva Samanvay, he said, would provide a common platform for students from government and private colleges to understand the state's diverse communities and cultural traditions.
Urging students to make constructive use of technology, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, Khandu said access to online learning and research resources had opened up unprecedented opportunities for the younger generation.
He congratulated the college administration, faculty members, students and organising committee on the occasion and appreciated the march-past by contingents representing the college's 16 departments, NCC cadets and cultural performances by students.