Since 1987, February 20 every year has been something very sacred, special and dear to every Arunachalee. Today, while celebrating this day extraordinaire for the 34th time, there must be at least one single spell of introspection to be experienced by every citizen which might be about the state’s overall development quotient. A pull towards a comparative assessment will be inescapable with a glance over things right now, followed inevitably with musings about what it should had been and also of what lies ahead. And since it’s a solemn occasion which should essentially remain free from any half-truths, with an honest intention of making a true reflection of today’s Arunachal, it must be pointed out that the gap between actual and missed development is not a small one. Even if this might sound a discordant chant of pessimism not befitting to the day’s exuberant mood, it’s after all necessary as a reminder to stick to the efforts of wiping out the perceived shortcomings and of this upsetting gap thereto.
There should be no doubt that the state has come a long way since its NEFA days and markedly since attaining full statehood. Its contribution while maintaining national territorial intactness from a marauding China in 1962 has remained a symbol of pure Indian nationalism. If among tourist circle whose radius extends far beyond the country it has always been a land to get intensely enchanted, it has also earned the sticker of being perennially unexplored. Tourism, which could have been the state’s biggest revenue earner has not picked up momentum expectedly and the reason(s) are well known. When doing and going organic is the unceasing craze, farmers here, even if great exponents of this method of farming have had very negligible taste of real economic upliftment. And the common thread of discontent that ties the above two is unavailability of meaningful means of connectivity. There are actually no end of ironies if viewed in light of nature’s gifts. The declared hydro powerhouse of the nation still has enormous difficulty in providing power penetratingly and for any keen observer of Arunachal, there will be many more such to cite instantly. Looking at education, particularly school level, it needs no repeating what needs to be done. Infrastructure really matters and without that, it might only prove a stroll down the blind lane for any policy or programme. A case of corruption concerning APSSB has just surfaced which has caused limitless agony to the state’s youths. Not only this one, all such must be handled with an iron hand.
Development will have no meaning if it isn’t inclusive, balanced and on-schedule. There are miles to go in reaching that- let this be the guiding force to take the state ahead.  

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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