Hornbill News

  ITANAGAR, July 25:  Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed his appreciation for former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following his resignation, praising his years of public service and contribution to India's education sector. In a message shared on social media, Khandu described Pradhan as a leader who rose from student activism and brought a deep understanding of the aspirations of young Indians to the education portfolio.  He said Pradhan worked with dedication to strengthen educational institutions and implement key reforms despite the challenges of leading the ministry. Pradhan's resignation came amid widespread public outrage over the alleged NEET paper leak.  The issue had triggered protests across the country, including demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other organisations demanding accountability and his resignation. The government has not officially linked his resignation to the protests. Thanking ...

  DHAKA/ITANAGAR, July 20: Arunachal Pradesh's karate contingent delivered an outstanding performance at the South Asian Senior Karate Championships 2026 held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with athletes bringing home three medals for India and making the state proud on the international stage. Johny Mangkhya emerged as one of the standout performers, winning two silver medals in the prestigious championship through a series of impressive performances against top competitors from across South Asia. Adding to the state's success, Khyoda Talik clinched the Team Kata Gold Medal, registering a remarkable achievement and further highlighting Arunachal Pradesh's growing stature in the sport. Congratulating the medal winners, Chief Minister Pema Khandu hailed their achievements and said the success reflects the impact of the Chief Minister's Athlete Coaching and Empowerment Scheme (CM ACES), which aims to nurture and support talented athletes from the state. "This is what happens ...

  ITANAGAR, July 18:  Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao has congratulated Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on completing 10 years in office, describing the milestone as a remarkable achievement and expressing confidence in his continued leadership for the state's future. In his congratulatory message, Gao extended his best wishes to Khandu and expressed hope that he would continue to lead Arunachal Pradesh for another 15 years, citing his vision for the state's brighter future. Pema Khandu completed a decade as Chief Minister on July 17, becoming one of the longest-serving Chief Ministers in the history of Arunachal Pradesh.  During his tenure, the state has witnessed significant progress in infrastructure development, road connectivity, governance reforms, digital initiatives, healthcare, education, tourism, and welfare programmes. Khandu's political journey took a decisive turn in 2016 amid political instability when he led 43 of the Congress party's 44 MLAs to the P...

  ITANAGAR, July 17:  In a landmark move to strengthen the justice delivery system, the Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved the proposal for the Arunachal Pradesh Advocates Protection Bill, 2026.  The legislation aims to safeguard the lives and properties of advocates while ensuring a safer working environment for the legal fraternity. Once enacted by the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the Bill will become the state's first dedicated law providing legal protection to advocates. The decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday. The proposed legislation is designed to protect advocates from threats, violence, intimidation and unlawful interference while performing their professional duties. According to the Cabinet, the Bill seeks to ensure that legal professionals can carry out their responsibilities without fear, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the justice delivery system.  The legislation is also ...

  ITANAGAR, July 3:  The Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service Officers’ Association (APCSOA) has contributed ₹10 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to support people affected by the recent flash floods and landslides that have caused widespread devastation across the state. The contribution comes at a time when several districts of Arunachal Pradesh are reeling from the impact of relentless monsoon rains, which triggered flash floods, landslides, road blockages and damage to public infrastructure.  Many families have suffered losses, while transportation and essential services have been disrupted in several affected areas. Chief Minister acknowledged the Association's contribution and expressed heartfelt appreciation to its members for their generous gesture. He said the donation reflects the spirit of compassion and collective responsibility during a challenging time for the state. "My sincere appreciation to every member of the Association for this remarkable a...

  Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Shivraj Singh Chouhan with CM Pema Khandu during their visit to flood-hit Keyi Panyor. KEYI PANYOR, June 30: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, along with Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, State Agriculture Minister Kento Jini, and senior government officials on Tuesday visited the flood-affected stretch of National Highway-13 between Hoj and Potin in Keyi Panyor district to assess the extensive damage caused by recent floods and landslides. The high-level delegation inspected the affected areas, reviewed the ongoing restoration work, and interacted with families impacted by the disaster. National Highway-13, the state's principal arterial road connecting several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, has suffered severe damage following continuous heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides, significantly disrupting trans...

  ITANAGAR, June 27:  In a significant milestone for medical education in Arunachal Pradesh, 52 students of the 2020 MBBS batch of the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) graduated as Indian Medical Graduates during the institute's third graduation ceremony held on Saturday. Congratulating the graduates, Chief Minister Pema Khandu described the occasion as a proud moment for the state and lauded the institute's continued contribution to producing skilled healthcare professionals. "It is heartening to witness the successful conclusion of the third graduation ceremony of TRIHMS. We are immensely proud of each one of you and share in the joy of your families, teachers, and mentors who have supported you throughout this journey," the Chief Minister said. Extending his best wishes to the newly qualified doctors, Khandu expressed confidence that they would serve society with dedication, compassion, and professional excellence. "Wishing all our n...

  Itanagar, June 25: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that the state government is closely monitoring the flash flood situation in Keyi Panyor district, where a devastating deluge struck the Possa area on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to homes, roads and other infrastructure. He said all concerned departments and agencies remain fully engaged in rescue, relief and restoration efforts to assist affected residents and restore normalcy at the earliest. Providing an update on the ongoing operations, the Chief Minister said that 14 stranded tourists were airlifted from Ziro to Naharlagun on Thursday, while the evacuation of another 11 tourists and one patient from Daporijo is currently underway. A total of five helicopter sorties have been carried out jointly by the Indian Air Force and the State Civil Aviation Department to support evacuation and emergency relief.  Critically injured flash flood victims have also been airlifted to Naharlagun for advanced...

  Tawang, June 22:  A Mass Rhododendron Plantation Drive was conducted in Tawang on Monday, continuing the momentum generated during the World Environment Day celebrations on June 5. The initiative aimed to promote environmental conservation and expand the region’s rich rhododendron cover, which forms an important part of Tawang’s unique Himalayan ecosystem. Participating in the plantation drive, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted the ecological significance of rhododendrons and emphasized the collective responsibility of protecting and enhancing the region’s natural heritage. "Tawang is blessed with one of the richest diversities of rhododendrons in the Himalayas, making it our collective responsibility to protect and expand this extraordinary natural wealth," the Chief Minister said. Underscoring the long-term benefits of afforestation, Khandu added, "Every sapling we plant today strengthens our forests, protects our mountains, preserves biodivers...

  Lumla, June 20: A major development boost was announced for Lumla constituency during the Jan Kalyan Shivir organized to commemorate 12 years of the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was attended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu along with Minister Nyato Dukam and MLAs Phurpa Tsering, Mohesh Chai, Dongru Siongju, Tseten Chombay, and Namgey Tsering. The programme witnessed the inauguration of several important developmental projects aimed at improving infrastructure, public services, and the overall quality of life for the people of the region. In addition, foundation stones were laid for a number of key infrastructure initiatives that are expected to accelerate socio-economic growth and strengthen connectivity across the constituency. Addressing the gathering, the leaders highlighted the government's commitment to inclusive development and ensuring that the benefits of welfare schemes and infrastructure projects reach every section of society. The occ...