Arunachal CM Pema Khandu Calls for Inclusion of State History in Textbooks

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday stated that school textbooks should include chapters on the state's history and culture, to enable students to know about their state and its past.

The Chief Minister made the statements at the launching ceremony of the book 'Flights of Fantasy: Heroes of 1962 Indo-China War, Abu Tani's Speaking Tree and other articles', authored by Group Captain (Rtd) Mohonto Panging Pao in Itanagar.

Khandu noted that about 80 to 90 percent of the people of the state are not aware of the state's history and rich cultural diversity.

The Chief Minister further said the duty of educating the younger generation about the state and its cultural diversity from the initial stages of their learning lay on his government.

He added that he has already sent instructions to the state education department to compile and introduce chapters on the state from the primary levels to begin with.

He said that if the step is taken, people living in other regions would come to know about the Northeast's rich history and culture. He added, "Unfortunately even today most of the people of other states are unaware of the North East, its contributions to the freedom struggle and its rich cultural diversity."

CM Khandu also praised the author of the book, Group Captain (Rtd) Mohonto Panging Pao, and noted that the book, a collection of articles on Arunachal Pradesh, unsung heroes of the 1962 war and folklores, would go a long way in educating not only people of the state but others too on Arunachal Pradesh and the North East.

He also spoke about the recent foundation stone laying ceremony of the memorial of Major Ralengnao 'Bob' Khathing at Tawang, Khandu and said up until the event, majority of the people, including those in Tawang were not aware of Bob Khathing or his contributions to Arunachal Pradesh.

He said, "There would be many unsung heroes like Major Khathing, we need to honour them and write about them so that people recognize and appreciate their contributions to our history."

The Chief Minister also assured the author, Pao that the state government will acquire copies of the book and distribute them to the state and all district libraries. He requested the author to print a minimum of 5000 copies of the book exclusively for the state government.

The book was written by the author, Group Captain (Rtd) Mohonto Panging Pao in five years. The book is a collection of 91 articles divided into 10 chapters. Most of his articles were earlier published in various newspapers and magazines of Arunachal Pradesh and the North East. The book includes socio-economic aspects, geo-political aspects of Arunachal and Northeast. The articles also includes the author's personal experience of fighter flying.

This is Group Captain Mohonto Panging Pao's second book. He had earlier published a book titled 'Keerook and Other Stories from Northeast India'.

The book launch event was also attended by MLA Pasighat Kaling Moyong, renowned authors and Padmashree awardees Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi and Mamang Dai, Adi Baane Kebang President Gautam Borang and members of Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS).

The book can be purchased from Amazon, Flipkart and notionpress.com

CM Khandu attended the general council meeting of NITI Aayog on Saturday. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CM Khandu had assured at the book launch that he would urge for including the history and culture of the north-eastern region in the NCERT syllabus.

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