Independence Day is always about flags and speeches. But this year in Arunachal Pradesh, it was also about names — 23 of them — that the state decided the world should know.
Gold for the Ones Who Truly Earned It
On August 15, as the rest of the country marked India’s 80th Independence Day, Arunachal Pradesh honoured 23 individuals, organisations, and departments with State Awards for their outstanding contributions to public service and development. It’s the kind of occasion that reminds you this state isn’t just geography — it’s people working quietly in the background, making things happen.
The State Awards comprised two Gold Medals, five Silver Medals, and 16 Commendation Certificates. The two Gold Medals went to places and people that many might not have heard of yet, but absolutely should. Among the Gold Medal recipients were the Swachh Silluk Abhiyan of Silluk village in East Siang district, and Sub-Inspector Tamo Bakhang of Chimpu Police Station, Itanagar. A grassroots sanitation movement and a police officer from the capital — two very different stories, one shared honour.
Silver, but Not Second-Best
Don’t let the ranking fool you. The Silver Medal awardees carry stories just as compelling. The five Silver Medal recipients included APCS officer Nangram Pingkap, Assistant Commissioner at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kurung Kumey; District Library, Namsai; Assistant Engineer Er. Tei Taba; Sub-Inspector Gemo Jini of Chimpu Police Station; and Lijum Ete, APCS, DPDO, Dibang Valley district. A library. An engineer. A civil servant posted in one of the state’s most remote districts. It says a lot about what Arunachal values — not just flashy positions, but unglamorous dedication.
A total of 16 individuals from various fields, including administration, police, healthcare, education, engineering and forestry, received Commendation Certificates. The list includes Dr Ani Siram, Captain (Dr) Chirag Singhal, and 14 others who simply showed up and did the work, day after day.
Medals That Carry Weight
Beyond the State Awards, two police officers were recognised at the national level. The President’s Police Medal for Gallantry was awarded to Sudhanshu Dhama, IPS, Superintendent of Police, while Nikom Riba, Deputy Commandant, 4th IRBN, received the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service. These are not ceremonial titles. They mean something out here, where the job is rarely easy.
Where Governance Actually Works
Perhaps the most interesting part of the day’s honours was the Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration. Three initiatives were recognised — the District Administration and Department of Planning & Investment, West Kameng, for the Integrated Sanitary Complex-cum-Kameng Cafeteria project; the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society for its MAS initiative; and the Deputy Commissioner, Pakke Kessang, for the successful resolution and demarcation of the Assam-Arunachal boundary under the “Pakke-Kessang Model.” A boundary dispute resolved. An AIDS awareness programme on the ground. A public sanitation complex that actually got built. These are the things that don’t go viral — but should.
At the end of it all, what this day really said is simple: in Arunachal Pradesh, service still gets seen. And that’s worth celebrating louder than any firework.
HASHTAGS
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