Arunachal: ABK Academic Board honours achievers with excellence award, education minister lauds initiative

The Academic Board of the Adi Bane Kebang (ABK) on August 20 presented its ‘Annual Excellence Award-2024’ to the AISSE and AISSCE toppers, gold medalists from various undergraduate and postgraduate courses from institutions recognised by the UGC, Group-A officers selected through UPSC and APPSC, doctorate awardees from institutions recognised by the UGC, and other achievers from various fields belonging to the Adi community, during a function held at the auditorium of the College of Horticulture & Forestry, Pasighat.

The annual excellence award function was attended by P.D. Sona, Minister, Education, Tourism, Rural Works, Parliamentary Affairs and Libraries as chief guest, while Matheim Linggi, Chairman, Mishmi Welfare Society attended the event as guest of honour. Pasighat East MLA, Tapi Darang was the special guest. DC Pasighat, Tayi Taggu, SP Pasighat, Dr. Sachin Kumar Singhal, BN Hazarika, Dean, CHF, Pasighat and hosts of dignitaries from ABK, HoDs and public leaders were also present.

The awards were given to student toppers in their respective classes and courses, new doctorate degree awardees, newly-appointed government officers, besides a host of dedicated teachers, social workers from East Siang, Siang, Upper Siang, Shi-Yomi, Lower Dibang Valley and Namsai districts. 

All of them were honoured with certificates of appreciation, mementoes and cash rewards by the dignitaries.

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Education Minister Passang Dorjee Sona said that the undying efforts of ABK Academic Board to motivate the students and other achievers is praiseworthy, as ABK has been extensively working in the field of education and should continue to make the people aware of the importance of education in nation-building.

"Such noble work of recognising the achievers should be continued in order to boost up the morale of students to do better in future," he said, further advising the toppers to aim big and concentrate in achieving it. 

"Hard work was the key to success and therefore, the students should study attentively and sincerely to become worthy citizens of the nation and pay back to the society", added Sona.

Meanwhile, Matheim Linggi, Chairman, Mishmi Welfare Society appreciated the role of the ABK for conducting the event in a befitting manner and said that CBOs play a vital role in advocating for rights and interests of their community members by mobilising them to take collective action to address issues affecting their community. "They facilitate community welfare meetings, awareness and other events to engage community members in the decision-making process and in this regard," he opined.

Matheim also congratulated the achievers for setting an example for the society.

Among some of the noted awardees, Padma Shri Yanung Jamoh Lego who was awarded by ABK in the field of herbal medicine and agriculture and Olen Megu Damin, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee in the field of folk and traditional music & dance including her immense contribution to ABK by creating marriage mark for both men and women etc also spoke on the occasion. Both Yanung and Olen shared their emotional expression over getting the recognition from ABK and motivated students to excel more in their respective fields of education and various careers. 

ABK President, Tadum Libang also spoke in detail about the aims and objectives of ABK Academic board’s annual excellence award, while Enuk Libang, Secretary Education, ABK-cum-Member Secretary, ABK Academic Board highlighted the importance of awarding the toppers and achievers.

Asked, Libang informed the press that they did not accept the token money offered to ABK by the chief guest PD Sona as ABK works for the community on a voluntary basis for the welfare of its own community.