Social worker Minoti Riba passes away; Mishra, Khandu joins in mourning

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Social worker Minoti Riba, who is also the wife of former Chief Minister Tomo Riba, passed away on Wednesday morning after prolonged illness.

According to family sources, she was 83 and is survived by six sons and three daughters.

Riba, who hails from Golaghat district in Assam, was also a former member of the Consumer Dispute Reddressal Committee of the state government.

On hearing the news of her demise, State Governor Brig (retd) Dr BD Mishra accompanied by DGP visited the bereaved family members at E Sector, Naharlagun and laid wreath on her mortal remains.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Assembly Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona, Education Minister Taba Tadir along with several MLAs and Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) President Y D Thongchi, also paid their last respect to the departed soul.

The Governor said that in her sudden demise, the state had lost a pious lady, who till the last moment worked for the poor, needy and physically challenged people.

Conveying heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family Dr Mishra said that in the sad hour, his prayers and thoughts are with the family members.

The Governor joined all Arunachalees in praying to the almighty to give eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu also joined in mourning her sad demise.

In his condolence message, Khandu said, “with a heavy heart, I write to share the grief of losing one of the pioneers of women empowerment in the state.”

The news of her demise has come as a shocker not only to her family members, relatives and well wishers but for the people of the entire state, who had the opportunity to work, interact and associate with her in her lifetime, Khandu said.

“Riba was a dedicated social worker, a caring mother, a woman of substance, who went on to become a member of many organisations like Assam Sahitya Sabha, Lekhika Smaroh Samiti and also associated with Sammonoy Gut Cooperative Societies Ltd and was awarded best Co-Operator of Arunachal at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Cooperative Movements in the state, the chief minister said.

Khandu added that Riba would be forever remembered for her unprecedented role in the cooperative movement of Arunachal Pradesh since 1957. She was a first generation officer, who educated Arunachal about cooperative movement.

“I believe, leaving this mortal world will not diminish the love and affection showered on her by the people and her soul will remain immortal. So will her footsteps and the contributions made in the social sector during her long and memorable decades of activism,” the chief minister said.

“My respect for the great soul grew manifold when I came to know that she donated her body to Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Science. I know this will be the most trying times for the family members to cope with the irreparable loss, I hope my humble words of consolation would ease the grief even if a little,” Khandu added.

In his condolence message, the Speaker said that Riba was not only a social reformer, writer and cultural activist but also a kind hearted person who loved everyone.

Meanwhile, the Speaker also deeply condoled the sudden and untimely demise of Mepung Phassang Cheda, wife of Chopa Cheda, Editor of the Arunachal Pioneer, who breathed her last Wednesday morning at a hospital in Chennai.

Sona prayed to the almighty God for eternal peace of her departed soul and to restore strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss to them in this hour of grief.

Mepung Phassang Cheda’s demise condoled

A Correspondent

ITANAGAR, Dec 11: Mepung Phassang Cheda, wife of former Arunachal Press Club (APC) president and editor of The Arunachal Pioneer Chopa Cheda, breathed her last at a Chennai hospital on Wednesday after a prolonged illness.

Mepung (39) is survived by two sons and three daughters.

Born to Late Chakang Phassang, Mepung was admired by one and all. Besides being a supermom, Mepung was an admired social worker and also the former chairperson of Gyadom Welfare Society’s women wing.

She is also the younger sister of State BJP vice president Tame Phassang.

Shocked and devastated by the sad demise, the State’s media fraternity under the aegis of Arunachal Press Club (APC), All Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and Arunachal Electronic and Digital Media Association (AEDMA) deeply mourned her sad demise and prayed for eternal peace of her soul.

“Words are not sufficient to console the bereaved family at this hour of anguish. Yet it is our modest prayer that the Almighty gives enough strength and solace to the family to bear this irreplaceable loss,” a joint statement from the APC, APUWJ and AEDMA said Wednesday evening.

Arunachal’s Yupia town gets a Driving Simulator

A Correspondent

YUPIA, Dec 11: Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Transport and Tourism Nakap Nalo inaugurated the “Driving Simulator” device at the District Transport office, Yupia on Wednesday.

He was accompanied by the local Legislator Tana Hali Tara, Secretary Transport Dani Salu, Director Transport, ADC Yupia, HoDs, District Transport Officers and staffs of District Transport office, Yupia.

Nalo while congratulating the Transport department for introduction of the “Driving Simulator”, said that introduction of the simulator heralds a new beginning for the Department of transport and State as a whole in improving the role and responsibility of the department.

He further called upon all the District Transport Officers from various districts to make themselves well acquainted with every pros and cons of the “Driving Simulator” and to ensure that service provided by the department are effective and helpful to the people.

Speaking on the improving the Transport department in the State, the minister informed that Government is taking up steps to take forward the transport department to new heights by improving the transport services and infrastructure in days to come for greater welfare of people of Arunachal Pradesh.

MLA Tana Hali Tara who also spoke on the occasion congratulated the department for their achievement and expressed that the driving simulator will not only save time but also help in conducting hassle-free training and tests.

However, he added that there should be clear cut instructions and awareness among the people so that it can used smoothly.

While expressing his concern over increasing underage drink and driving accidental cases he opined that department should ensure that Arunachal Motor vehicles Act is fully implemented so that parents of such underage drivers are also cautioned about the quantum of punishment under the Act.

He also emphasised that driving licence should be issued to the persons who are mentally and physically fit.

Seppa gets serious about cleaning River Kameng

A Correspondent

SEPPA, Dec 11: Swachch Seppa Abhiyan, an initiative of the district administration of East Kameng district towards a clean and green Seppa, was formally launched with the event titled “Ane Kameng River Cleaning Mission” here at Seppa on Wednesday.

The main objective of the abhiyan is to promote and develop a mindset and generate habits towards cleanliness.

In order to realize the goal of the programme, fortnightly cleanliness drive will be conducted henceforth every day on the 1st and 3rd week of every month across the whole of Seppa township.

As part of the launching programme, a mass cleanliness drive was conducted along the whole stretch of River Kameng across Seppa Town today.

Thousands including people from different walks of life, HoDs, government officials, students, NGOs, and community and religious based organizations took active participation in the cleanliness drive.

The launching programme was organized by the district administration and DUDA in collaboration and coordination with East Kameng Social Welfare & Cultural Organisation and Kameng Kao Club.

Launching the abhiyan, East Kameng DC Gaurav Singh Rajawat appreciated all for the participation and exhorted the participants to carry out such a noble task in mission mode and spread awareness among the masses about the benefits of cleanliness.

Enlightening the masses about the aims and objective of the drive, DC Rajawat appealed to the people to shoulder their responsibility and cooperate for a clean Seppa and urged everyone to keep their surrounding neat and clean.

Emphasizing on an open defecation free society, the DC briefed the gathering about proper segregation and disposal of waste and requested the people to shun the practices of discharging household and kitchen wastages directly into streams.

Admitting that Seppa is indeed a beautiful place to live, he appreciated all for their cooperation and support towards the “I Love Seppa Campaign” and suggested for removal of all unwanted hoardings and construction debris across the township.

He also requested all to keep the drainage clean. He also made a clarion call to all for their cooperation and support for successful implementation of the abhiyan.

Briefing about the abhiyan, EKSWCO Chairman-cum-PD (DRDA) Dahey Sangno urged all to cooperate for grand success of the abhiyan.

He also informed that every stream or river besides Kameng River and colonies across the Seppa Township will be cleaned under the programme.