Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday, 6 May 2025, underscored the pivotal role of universities in bridging academic knowledge with grassroots realities, addressing the inaugural ceremony of the ninth edition of Arunachal Panorama — the flagship cultural and youth festival of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) in Itanagar. The Chief Minister reaffirmed the state government's commitment to transformative education reforms, cultural unity, and entrepreneurship-driven youth empowerment.

Education Reforms and Mission Shikshit Arunachal

Invoking the National Education Policy (NEP), Chief Minister Khandu spotlighted Mission Shikshit Arunachal, a state-led initiative focused on strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, raising secondary-level performance, and integrating skill development across the education system. He said the state government has made significant investments in upgrading schools, constructing hostels, and rationalising educational infrastructure — with a deliberate emphasis on enhancing quality over mere expansion of quantity.

Notably, this push comes at a time when several northeastern states are working to close persistent learning outcome gaps. Arunachal's approach of tying infrastructure investment to quality benchmarks signals a shift from input-focused to outcome-focused governance in education.

Arunachal Panorama: Celebrating Tribal Diversity

Describing Arunachal Panorama as a dynamic and evolving platform, CM Khandu praised the festival for celebrating the state's rich cultural diversity while fostering unity among its many tribes and communities. He recalled the festival's inception in 2006 under former Vice-Chancellor Atul Sharma, commending the university for sustaining it as a meaningful tradition that showcases the cultural expressions of Arunachal Pradesh's numerous tribes and sub-tribes.

The Chief Minister highlighted cultural performances at the event — including a fusion of traditional dances — and commended students, artists, and mentors for their creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit. He noted that while the state is home to more than 26 major tribes, platforms like Arunachal Panorama help present this vast diversity in a cohesive and engaging manner, particularly for the younger generation.

Rajiv Gandhi University's Legacy and National Vision

Reflecting on the journey of Rajiv Gandhi University since its establishment in 1984, Khandu said the institution has played a pivotal role in shaping the state's human resources. He noted that alumni have made significant contributions across governance, politics, business, technology, and public service.

Expressing confidence in the current generation, the Chief Minister said students would carry this legacy forward in alignment with the national vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and the goal of a developed Arunachal Pradesh.

Technology, Entrepreneurship and Armed Forces Participation

Emphasising the changing dynamics of education in the modern era, CM Khandu stressed that academic learning alone is no longer sufficient. He underlined the equal importance of sports, co-curricular activities, and technological adaptability — especially in an era driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning. He advised students to embrace technology responsibly, cautioning that overdependence could weaken critical thinking and independent knowledge-building.

Encouraging entrepreneurship, he highlighted the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park, which offers incubation, mentorship, and financial support to aspiring entrepreneurs. He said the state has emerged as one of the better-performing regions in the startup ecosystem and urged youth to transition from job seekers to job creators.

The Chief Minister also announced plans to increase participation of Arunachali youth in the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) through structured training programmes, scholarships, and institutional collaborations. He additionally cited ongoing infrastructure initiatives, including the establishment of new science centres and colleges, and improvements in university facilities across the state.

With the ninth Arunachal Panorama setting the stage, the coming months will test whether the state's education and entrepreneurship commitments translate into measurable outcomes for its diverse and aspirational youth.