Arunachal Pradesh a goldmine for storytellers, says Governor Parnaik at RGU film event
Synopsis
At RGU's TRACTION 2026 film residency, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik made a pointed case for the state's storytelling potential — 26 major tribes, 100+ sub-tribes, untouched landscapes — while calling on creators to choose credibility over virality. Twenty-five films, two award winners, eight Northeast states: a quiet but significant push to put Arunachal on the global content map.
Key Takeaways
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T.
Parnaik (Retd) addressed the valedictory of TRACTION 2026 at Rajiv Gandhi University , Doimukh, on 20 August 2026 .
He highlighted the state's 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes as rich, underexplored material for national and global storytellers.
25 participants from 8 Northeast states produced 25 films during the residency under the theme 'Explore, Create, Move'.
Best filmmaker awards — a trophy, citation, and ₹1 lakh cash prize each — went to Aron Pradhan (Meghalaya) and Rinpi Das (Assam).
The Governor stressed fact verification, cultural sensitivity, and credibility as the foundations of meaningful storytelling.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Thursday, 20 August 2026, declared the state an unparalleled canvas for filmmakers and content creators, citing its 26 major tribes, over 100 sub-tribes, sweeping landscapes, and rich biodiversity as storytelling resources that remain largely untapped by national and global media. He was addressing the valedictory ceremony of TRACTION 2026 – Residency and Film Challenge at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Rono Hills, Doimukh.
Governor's Call to Storytellers
Parnaik urged young filmmakers, content creators, and influencers to move beyond passive observation and engage meaningfully with the world around them. He emphasised that a single video, documentary, or social media post can reach millions within hours and carries the power to educate, inspire, and shape public opinion. He cautioned participants against chasing sensationalism or short-lived popularity, stressing instead the value of credible, purposeful storytelling rooted in fact verification, cultural sensitivity, informed consent, and dignified representation.
'Integrity and credibility are the true foundations of lasting impact,' Parnaik said, urging creators to treat their craft as a responsibility rather than a platform for personal visibility.
Documenting Arunachal's Untold Stories
The Governor called for deeper collaboration with RIWATCH, cultural organisations, researchers, and local communities to authentically document indigenous traditions, community wisdom, and the relationship between people and nature. He spotlighted artisans, farmers, entrepreneurs, athletes, and cultural custodians as subjects deserving greater screen time, alongside themes such as traditional crafts, organic farming, eco-tourism, and community-led conservation.
Parnaik also highlighted the One District One Product initiative as a powerful narrative tool for promoting sustainable local development and preserving heritage — a theme woven through TRACTION 2026's thematic sessions on culture, travel filmmaking, research methodologies, and media ethics.
About TRACTION 2026
Organised under the theme 'Explore, Create, Move', TRACTION 2026 was conceptualised by RGU's Department of Mass Communication in collaboration with the Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation, Naharlagun, and the Department of Industries. The residency brought together 25 participants from eight states of the Northeast, who collectively produced 25 films over the course of the event.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Shivaraj, Registrar N.T. Rikam, and Director of Industries Gyabo Perting also addressed the gathering, underscoring the institutional weight behind the initiative.
Award Winners
In the closing ceremony, Governor Parnaik conferred awards on the two best filmmakers of the residency. Aron Pradhan of Meghalaya and Rinpi Das of Assam each received a trophy, a citation, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. The recognition signals growing institutional support for Northeast-focused media talent.
With TRACTION 2026 concluded, attention now turns to whether the films produced during the residency will find wider distribution — and whether the Governor's call for authentic storytelling from Arunachal Pradesh translates into a sustained pipeline of content reaching national and global audiences.
Point of View
Despite its extraordinary cultural density — 26 major tribes, over 100 sub-tribes — remains one of the most underrepresented regions in Indian media. The residency model, which produced 25 films from 25 participants across eight states, is a modest but replicable template for closing that gap. The real question is distribution: films made at a university residency rarely travel far without institutional backing. Whether RGU and the Department of Industries can build a pipeline from production to platform will determine if TRACTION 2026 is a one-off or the start of something durable.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TRACTION 2026?
TRACTION 2026 is a Residency and Film Challenge organised by the Department of Mass Communication at Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh, in collaboration with the Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation and the Department of Industries. It brought together 25 participants from eight Northeast states to create films exploring Arunachal Pradesh's culture, landscapes, and communities.
What did Governor Parnaik say at TRACTION 2026?
Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik called Arunachal Pradesh an immense opportunity for storytellers, pointing to its 26 major tribes, over 100 sub-tribes, and rich biodiversity. He urged filmmakers and content creators to pursue credible, culturally sensitive storytelling over sensationalism, and to collaborate with local communities and organisations like RIWATCH.
Who won the best filmmaker awards at TRACTION 2026?
Aron Pradhan of Meghalaya and Rinpi Das of Assam were named the two best filmmakers. Each received a trophy, a citation, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, conferred by Governor Parnaik at the valedictory ceremony.
How many films were made at TRACTION 2026?
A total of 25 films were produced during the residency by 25 participants drawn from eight states across Northeast India.
Why is Arunachal Pradesh considered significant for content creators?
Arunachal Pradesh is home to more than 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes, alongside diverse landscapes and biodiversity that remain largely undocumented in mainstream media. Governor Parnaik argued that this cultural and natural wealth offers filmmakers and digital creators a vast, authentic subject matter with national and global appeal.
