Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik, Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Sunday launched the statewide fifth edition of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign from the Golden Jubilee State Banquet Hall, Niti Vihar, Itanagar.
Campaign, commemorations and participants
The campaign, organised by the Department of Art & Culture under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Culture, will run until 17 August. The launch coincided with August Kranti Diwas — the anniversary of the Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 — and featured handing over of national flags to young participants, patriotic performances by state artistes and communal singing of the Rashtriya Geet, "Vande Mataram".
Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongte, cabinet ministers, lawmakers, senior administrative and police officials, student groups and community leaders attended the ceremony. Ex-servicemen and gaon buras were felicitated during the event, and staff artistes of the Department of Art & Culture presented patriotic items as part of the celebrations.
Governor’s appeal: patriotism in action
Addressing the gathering, Governor Parnaik described the initiative as a people’s movement that can rekindle patriotism and strengthen emotional integration. He urged citizens to hoist the national flag with pride and translate patriotic sentiment into responsible civic behaviour.
"Do or Die."
The Governor recalled the historic call of the Quit India Movement and emphasised that patriotism must be reflected in both words and deeds. He listed respect for the Constitution, protection of public property, environmental stewardship and dedicated service to society as practical expressions of national commitment as India moves towards its "Viksit Bharat 2047" goal.
Symbolism of the Tiranga and regional integration
Parnaik elaborated on the symbolism of the Tiranga, saying saffron stands for courage and selfless service, white for peace and truth, green for prosperity and harmony with nature, and the Ashoka Chakra for continuous progress guided by justice. He recited a poem he had penned on the patriotism of the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Referring to Arunachal Pradesh as the sentinel of India’s eastern frontier, the Governor highlighted the state’s deep-rooted dedication to national integrity. He encouraged youth to adopt "Jai Hind" as a common greeting and advocated the wider use of Hindi alongside local languages to strengthen regional connectivity under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative.
Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister remarks
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the campaign aims to deepen bonds with the nation and to honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters beyond ceremonial flag-hoisting. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein paid tribute to the state’s unsung heroes and underscored that national pride remains ingrained among the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Outreach beyond Itanagar
Officials said parallel launches took place in other parts of the state on Sunday, including Khonsa (Tirap district), Namsai (Namsai district) and Yingkiong (Upper Siang district), indicating a coordinated effort to involve communities across districts ahead of Independence Day.
- Campaign period: Until 17 August
- Launch venue: Golden Jubilee State Banquet Hall, Niti Vihar, Itanagar
- Key dignitaries: Governor K T Parnaik, CM Pema Khandu, Dy CM Chowna Mein, Speaker Tesam Pongte
| Location | Activity noted |
|---|---|
| Itanagar | State launch; flag distribution; patriotic performances; felicitation of ex-servicemen and gaon buras |
| Khonsa, Namsai, Yingkiong | Parallel launches to involve district-level communities |
Officials said the Department of Art & Culture will co-ordinate events across the state during the campaign period. Citizens wishing to participate were advised to follow local administration announcements and observe guidelines for public gatherings, where applicable.
The launch comes as part of nationwide preparations for Independence Day and tracks with the Union Ministry of Culture's push to encourage citizens to participate in flag-hoisting and other commemorative activities at homes and in communities.
