ITANAGAR, Jun 30: In a state often celebrated for its diversity but rarely spotlighted for its orators, a new platform is hoping to change the way Arunachal Pradesh nurtures its youth.
On July 10, inside the modest yet vibrant campus of Boum Kakir Mission School in Doimukh, a microphone will switch on, a podium will be set and a movement called Let’s Speak Arunachal will officially take the stage.
Titled “Let’s Speak Arunachal,” the platform is the brainchild of 25-year-old public speaker and emcee Porsum Ori and is designed to create safe and empowering spaces for young voices across the state. The inaugural event will be graced by Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly speaker Tesam Pongte as chief guest.
The launch programme, themed “Empowering Youth Voices, Building Future Pathways,” will feature interactive workshop sessions led by emerging youth leaders and communication experts.
Speaking to this daily, Ori said the initiative goes beyond just public speaking. “The youth of Arunachal don’t lack talent—they lack platforms. ‘Let’s Speak Arunachal’ is our answer to that gap,” she said.
The programme will unfold in four competitive stages: an online video entry round, two progressive offline speaking rounds, and a final extempore round. Around 30 participants will be shortlisted to attend the live events. The structure is designed to test clarity of thought, articulation, civic awareness, and stage presence.
Ori, a political science graduate from Guwahati University, is well-known in the state’s youth circuit. She has hosted high-profile events, including an official programme for Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and served as emcee for several government flagship events such as National Youth Day and Constitution Day. She has also worked as a news anchor and collaborated with DD Arunprabha and Akashvani on youth and cultural programming.
Among the speakers will be Tana Jiri (22), a recent winner of the Viksit Bharat National Youth Parliament and Leo Mano Singh, communication coach and founder of E3 Academy.
Jiri, a postgraduate student of sociology at Rajiv Gandhi University, has represented Arunachal Pradesh at national youth festivals and declamation contests. She has been actively involved in community service, including volunteering to tutor underprivileged children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In a region where job opportunities remain limited, we want to show young people that skills like public speaking, anchoring, journalism, and media production can become viable careers,” Jiri said.
The initiative also envisions preparing Arunachalee youth to represent the state at international forums such as the United Nations. Organisers hope the platform will serve as a springboard for participants to explore careers in media, civic leadership, TED-style talks, and cultural advocacy.
According to the organisers, Let’s Speak Arunachal aims to amplify indigenous voices, preserve cultural heritage and foster a culture of dialogue, literature, and leadership. It encourages an entrepreneurial mindset among youth, reducing dependency on traditional employment avenues.
“Let’s Speak Arunachal is not just a competition—it’s a movement to build a generation that is articulate, confident, and globally ready,” Ori said.

---

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

<< Back to News List