The Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (APLA) launched its Golden Jubilee celebrations—marking 50 years of legislative journey from 1975 to 2025—with a vibrant youth outreach programme held at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Itanagar, on Monday. Titled “APLA@50 Outreach Connect,” the curtain-raiser event aimed to bring the institution of the Assembly closer to the state’s youth while celebrating democratic values and public service. The event was inaugurated by APLA Speaker Tesam Pongte, who was joined by Prof. Dhananjay Singh, Member Secretary from New Delhi, Prof. S.K. Nayak, Vice Chancellor of RGU, and Nabam Vivek, MLA from the 14th Doimukh Assembly Constituency. Students and faculty from RGU, along with attendees from nearby colleges, participated in large numbers, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on youth engagement.
In his keynote address, Speaker Pongte underlined the importance of involving the younger generation in legislative processes and political thought. “This Golden Jubilee is not just a celebration of our past but a bridge to our future,” he said. “Through this outreach, we intend to visit 22 colleges across Arunachal Pradesh. Our goal is to ignite a sense of civic responsibility and deepen the understanding of democratic institutions among students.”The Speaker also emphasized that the Assembly is not merely a law-making body but a platform where the voices of the people are represented, debated, and echoed. “The idea is to demystify the Assembly and governance for students so that they can see politics as a space for change and public good,” he added.Adding to the message of youth empowerment, MLA Nabam Vivek issued a call to action for young minds. “For Arunachal to grow in the right direction, we need leaders who are educated, informed, and committed to public service,” he said. “If the capable remain silent or distant from politics, there’s a risk that the less qualified will take the reins of leadership. It is time for the educated to come forward.”
The event was designed to be more than ceremonial. A series of interactive sessions, open discussions, and panel talks were held with students, focusing on themes like participatory democracy, citizen rights, policy awareness, and the importance of legislative institutions. The exchange of ideas created an atmosphere of curiosity and debate, setting the tone for similar events planned in other districts.Prof. S.K. Nayak, Vice Chancellor of RGU, welcomed the Assembly’s initiative and said it was a significant step in integrating academic spaces with civic awareness. “Bringing the Assembly closer to students strengthens the roots of democracy and encourages young people to become active, informed citizens,” he said.
