Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan addressed a Special Session of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Itanagar during his first visit to the state. He congratulated the legislature on completing its Golden Jubilee. He also visited Nyedar Namlo, the Donyi-Polo Mission School and the J.N. State Museum.
He appreciated the Legislative Secretariat being made plastic-free and the setting up of the Assembly Library and Museum.
Radhakrishnan said Arunachal Pradesh has immense strategic importance, rich cultural heritage and abundant natural resources. He said its people play a vital role in safeguarding the nation's borders, and that the security of the rest of the country is closely linked to that protection.
He recalled the creation of the Ministry of DoNER under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the emphasis on the region under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy. He congratulated the state on becoming the country's leading kiwi producer, expanding its roads, issuing over one lakh Soil Health Cards and progressing in education and per capita income.
India, he said, is united by one Constitution, the vision of 'Rashtra Pratham' (Nation First) and the goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. He added that there can be no Viksit Bharat without a Viksit Arunachal Pradesh, and that no tribal or marginalised community should be left behind.
Speaking as Presiding Officer of the Rajya Sabha, he urged members to use Question Hour and Zero Hour effectively. He reiterated that "debates, discussions, or even disruptions must always lead to a decision." Elections may be won through votes, he said, but people's respect and trust come only through dedicated service.
On natural resources, he said environmental concerns must be balanced with responsible use. Appropriate use of the state's significant hydropower potential, he said, could generate greater revenue and speed development.
Nyedar Namlo is a place of worship and community hub associated with the Donyi-Polo faith of the Nyishi community and other indigenous groups. Radhakrishnan offered prayers at the prayer hall and was briefed on Nyishi beliefs and prayer systems, the Yerko indigenous Gurukul system, preservation of traditional knowledge and medicinal practices, and efforts to promote the mother tongue.
He called Arunachal Pradesh a proud embodiment of India's unity in diversity and its people proud sentinels of India's territorial integrity. He said the Donyi-Polo emphasis on nature, truth, harmony and community remains relevant, and that development must go hand in hand with cultural preservation. He described the Yerko Gurukul system as a model combining contemporary education with indigenous knowledge. He also appreciated the Nyishi Nyidung Mung-jwng Rallung for its work on documentation, research, festivals and the preservation of customary laws and social values.
Citing the Prime Minister's vision of "Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi", he said tribal communities are partners in building India's future. He said Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas has brought renewed national attention to tribal contributions, and linked preservation of traditions with Vocal for Local and Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
"Preservation of indigenous culture is not about resisting change. It is about ensuring that change does not come at the cost of identity," he said. He urged youth to embrace modern science, technology and global skills while staying connected to their mother tongue and traditions.
At the Donyi-Polo Mission School for the Hearing, Visually and Intellectually Impaired at Chimpu, Itanagar, he interacted with students, teachers and staff. He urged students never to let anyone define the limits of their dreams and cited the journey of Srikanth Bolla as inspiration.
Such institutions, he said, provide hope, dignity, opportunity, confidence and self-reliance, and contribute to an inclusive Viksit Bharat @ 2047. He said Artificial Intelligence, digital tools and assistive technologies can make education more accessible and personalised, and appreciated the Mission's AI-enabled learning materials.
At the J.N. State Museum he viewed collections including textiles, archaeology, paintings and basketry. He appreciated its role in preserving the ethnographic heritage of Arunachal Pradesh and the North-East. Such institutions, he said, are vital bridges between generations that safeguard cultural heritage and foster pride in indigenous traditions.
Nyedar Namlo, which the Vice-President visited in Itanagar, is best described as:
With reference to the Vice-President's address in Arunachal Pradesh, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following information:
| Institution / Body | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Yerko | Indigenous Gurukul system described as a model combining contemporary education with indigenous knowledge |
| 2. | Donyi-Polo Mission School | School at Chimpu, Itanagar, for the hearing, visually and intellectually impaired |
| 3. | J.N. State Museum | Place of worship associated with the Nyishi community |
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
