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DMK Youth Wing Functionary On The Run, Three Arrested In Alankulam Deer Hunting Case

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The Commune
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dmk youth wing deer hunting

In connection with the case of spotted deer hunting in the Alankulam forest area of Tenkasi district, authorities are actively searching for TMS Mukesh, a youth wing organizer from the DMK’s northern district. The operation is being carried out jointly by the forest department and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

According to reports, Mukesh is believed to be the primary suspect in organizing the illegal hunt. He allegedly gathered hunters from multiple districts to kill spotted deer in the western region of the Uthumalai area, which falls within the Alankulam forest reserve.

In a related development, District Forest Officer Akhil Thambi has been reassigned to Ramanathapuram. Authorities have stated that only after Mukesh’s arrest will they be able to determine the exact number of deer that were killed, cooked, and to identify all others involved in the case.

The forest department, under the leadership of Alankulam Forest Officer T. Munirathnam, has already detained three individuals: C. Pon Anand (46) and T. Rajalingam (40) from Kanyakumari district, and E. Ranjith Singh Raja (40) from Thoothukudi district. Two vehicles used in the operation were also confiscated. The arrested individuals admitted that Mukesh had brought them to Uthumalai for the illegal hunt.

Additionally, investigators are examining whether Mukesh has a history of poaching. They are also analyzing images from his social media, where he is seen posing with various firearms, to determine if any of those weapons were used in the crime.

Sources revealed that Mukesh had reportedly promised venison to a group of politically connected individuals who were visiting Courtallam. To fulfill this, he organized a hunting trip and arranged for hunters to kill several spotted deer. The group, who were allegedly consuming alcohol during the outing, attempted to transport the deer meat to Courtallam using three separate vehicles.

Uthumalai police, upon noticing suspicious activity, tried to pursue the convoy but eventually lost track of the vehicles. In the early hours of the morning, the hunters, unfamiliar with the local roads were involved in a road accident. Later, acting on an informant’s tip, the police returned to the scene, apprehended the three suspects, and handed them over to the forest department. During the operation, authorities seized weapons including firearms and knives, a deer carcass, torchlights, and mobile phones.

(With inputs from The New Indian Express)

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Ganesh Visarjan Stone Pelting In Maddur, Karnataka: 20 Detained, Six Injured

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The Commune
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ganesh visarjan stone pelting violence mandya maddur karnataka

Tension prevailed in Maddur town of Mandya district in Karnataka on Monday in connection with the incident of stone pelting during a Ganesha procession. The incident occurred on Sunday night, and the police have detained more than 20 people in connection with it.

Six persons were injured in the incident. According to the police, stone pelting was reported from the Ram-Rahim Nagar locality of Maddur town. Locals alleged that the stone pelting suddenly began from the mosque and from the terraces of houses in the area, leading to chaos.

Devotees and Hindu activists strongly condemned the act. The police quickly brought the situation under control and prevented the escalation of violence in the region. Devotees and Hindu activists staged a protest, expressing outrage against the violence and alleging that the police had assaulted those participating in the procession.

The protestors raised slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and demanded action against the culprits. Local residents stated that the devotees were asked to switch off the music while passing in front of the mosque and were also told to complete the immersion earlier than scheduled.

Despite complying with the orders by stopping the music and proceeding with the procession, the lights near the mosque suddenly went off, and stone pelting began against the participants. Considering the sensitivity of the matter, the police detained 20 people by midnight and arranged tight security measures in the region.

More details are yet to emerge regarding further developments. It can be recalled that last year, incidents of violence and rioting were reported from Nagamangala town of Mandya district during the Ganesh Visarjan procession. It was alleged that a group of people from a particular community attacked a peaceful Ganesh immersion procession with swords and knives in Nagamangala. The mob allegedly threw petrol bombs, looted shops, and set them on fire, all in front of the police.

The BJP had formed a fact-finding committee that authenticated these charges, and the party’s state President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra had demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the incident.

He had further slammed the government, claiming that Hindus were being attacked, and even though these incidents happen right in front of the police, they remain passive. He alleged that the government’s failure to grant full authority to the police was the reason for their inaction.

-IANS

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Affordable Health, New Livelihoods: How Jan Aushadhi Kendras Are Transforming Lives

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The Commune
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Affordable Health, New Livelihoods: How Jan Aushadhi Kendras Are Transforming Lives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is transforming lives across India by making essential medicines affordable and accessible. In Nagpur, the scheme has not only reduced the burden of expensive healthcare but has also created new opportunities for self-employment and small businesses.

At one of the Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the city, citizens are experiencing a major shift in both health access and economic relief. People who once struggled to afford branded medicines are now getting quality generics at a fraction of the cost.

Relief for the common man Aditya Gaddewar, a local beneficiary, shared his experience about how the scheme has helped his family: “Earlier, buying medicines used to cost us a lot, especially for chronic illnesses. But now, thanks to the Jan Aushadhi Kendra, we get the same medicines at much lower prices. It’s a big relief for families like ours.”

Ravi Kallewar, another beneficiary, echoed the sentiment: “Because of the high prices at private pharmacies, many poor people couldn’t afford treatment. But here, even the underprivileged can get the medication they need. It has truly brought healthcare closer to the poor.”

Empowering entrepreneurs, the scheme is also a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs like Rajeshrao Rajeshwar Samarth, who now runs a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Nagpur. He recounted his experience: “I came across an advertisement in the newspaper about the Jan Aushadhi scheme. I applied, and within just two days of submitting the application, I got approval. Officials from the scheme inspected the location and gave me the green signal.”

Rajeshrao’s pharmacy now serves hundreds of people and has become a model of affordable healthcare and micro-entrepreneurship in the city. More than just a medicine shop The Nagpur Jan Aushadhi centre stocks a wide range of essential medicines, ensuring that the public does not have to compromise on health due to cost.

From antibiotics and painkillers to chronic illness medications, most required drugs are available at up to 90 pc lower cost compared to market prices. The Jan Aushadhi Yojana is not just a health initiative; it’s a powerful tool for social upliftment and economic empowerment. It demonstrates how a well-executed public scheme can bring about real change in the lives of ordinary citizens — offering both affordable healthcare and a platform for self-reliance.

-IANS

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PM Modi Asks BJP Leaders To Connect With People Monthly Over Tiffin Meets

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The Commune
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 September 2025 attended a two-day BJP MPs workshop held at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium in the Parliament complex here on Sunday and suggested leaders to understand the problems and issues concerning the people by continuously engaging with them.

According to sources, PM Modi said in the meeting that leaders should hold a tiffin meeting with people in every Assembly segment in their Parliamentary constituency once a month, so that people’s problems can be understood in a detailed and precise manner.

Similarly, the Prime Minister advised the leaders to meet the concerned minister and officials before and after the Parliamentary committee meetings so that they have better information about the subject and he also stressed the ministers to ‘behave properly with the officials.’

While talking about the cleanliness campaign, he presented the example of Singapore and urged the leaders to think out of the box and do something innovative. This crucial two-day meeting comes ahead of the high stakes Vice-Presidential elections scheduled for September 9.

According to sources, the two-day workshop includes the mock poll to train MPs on the vote-casting process. The BJP-led NDA has intensified its preparations and is leaving no stone unturned for the Vice-Presidential election and this two-day workshop is likely to feature a presentation which would apprise the MPs, both from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the poll process.

This time, the Vice Presidential election is seen as a ‘South vs South’ battle, with NDA nominee C.P. Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu (who has an old association with RSS) and opposition candidate B. Sudarshan Reddy from Telangana (former Supreme Court judge). The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The 2025 electoral college is composed of 788 members, including 233 elected (presently five seats are vacant in the upper house) and 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, and 543 elected members of the Lok Sabha (one seat vacant in the lower house). Currently, there are 782 members in the electoral college due to vacant seats.

The election is conducted via a secret ballot using a system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote. Former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy was on August 19 declared as the united Opposition parties’ candidate for the Vice-Presidential election — an exercise described by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as an “ideological battle”.

The Vice-Presidential election was necessitated by the mid-term resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who vacated the post citing medical reasons. The Vice President also serves as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, making the post politically significant.

-IANS

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India Clinch Fourth Hockey Asia Cup Crown With 4-1 Win Over Korea

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The Commune
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hockey asia cup men india south korea win

India lifted their fourth Hockey Men’s Asia Cup crown with a commanding 4-1 victory over South Korea in the final in Rajgir, Bihar, on Sunday. The triumph marks India’s first continental title in eight years and secures their qualification for next year’s World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands.

Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas found the back of the net for the hosts, with Dilpreet bagging a brace. Korea’s Son Dain managed a consolation strike in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough to derail India’s dominance. Jugraj Singh nearly added to the tally but saw his penalty stroke saved.

The victory capped off a memorable campaign for India, who entered the final brimming with confidence after dismantling China 7-0 in the Super 4s. That win was a showcase of their attacking depth: Abhishek scored twice, while Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, and Sukhjeet Singh also got on the scoresheet.

India maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament, including five wins and a draw. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, India dominated the pool stage with three consecutive wins. In the Super 4s, they continued their strong run with emphatic victories over Malaysia (4-1) and China (7-0), while settling for a 2-2 draw against South Korea.

This marks India’s fourth Asia Cup triumph, adding to their previous titles in 2003, 2007, and 2017. South Korea remainsas the most successful team in the competition’s history with five titles – claimed in 1994, 1999, 2009, 2013 and 2022.

After securing a berth for next year’s spectacle in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30, 2026, India will aim for a podium finish. India’s best performances at the Men’s Hockey World Cup since their title win in 1975 have been two fifth-place finishes, achieved in 1982 and 1994. The team has featured in all 15 editions of the tournament so far, including the most recent one held in 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.

-IANS

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Insurance Premiums Set To Drop As Govt Removes GST On Life, Health Cover

By
The Commune
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gst registration rates pm modi insurance premium

The GST rationalisation on life and health insurance premiums will significantly improve affordability, strengthen penetration and provide a boost to consumption ahead of the festive season, experts said on Monday. The move comes as part of the broader GST rationalisation, which merged the 12 per cent slab with 5 per cent and subsumed the 28 per cent into 18 per cent.

Health and life insurance, which earlier attracted 18 per cent GST, have now been moved to the nil tax category. According to ICRA, while policyholders will benefit from lower premiums, insurers may face a short-term hit as input tax credit (ITC) will no longer be available.

This could flatten margins, particularly in life insurance, though affordability gains are expected to drive higher sales and improve long-term penetration. In general insurance, the retail health segment which accounted for 16 per cent of the industry’s gross direct premium income (GDPI) in FY25, will see premiums come down, though profitability of standalone health insurers may be under pressure if the full benefit is passed on.

“The nil rate for health insurance premiums is poised to enhance affordability and accessibility for patients. As health insurance penetration further improves, it will, in turn, benefit the hospitals sector, which has already been witnessing increasing demand on the back of higher insurance penetration over the past few years,” said Jitin Makkar, Senior Vice President and Group Head, Corporate Sector Ratings, ICRA Limited.

In the long run, this step aligns with the government’s vision of making healthcare more inclusive and affordable, he added. Experts said the step will make life protection and healthcare coverage more affordable, particularly for senior citizens, while encouraging wider adoption of insurance products and strengthening India’s financial safety net.

“Exemption of GST on all individual life insurance policies, including term life, ULIP, or endowment policies, will boost insurance penetration, especially among first-time buyers and middle-income families,” said Balachander Sekhar, CEO and Co-founder of RenewBuy.

—IANS

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Baloch Family Holds Protest For 34Th Day Over Son’s Enforced Disappearance By Pakistani Forces

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The Commune
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A Baloch family protesting the enforced disappearance of their son by Pakistani forces continued their sit-in at Karachi Press Club for the 34th consecutive day, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) said on Sunday. BYC stated that Zahid Ali’s family, demanding his safe release, continues to hold the protest despite his father Abdul Hameed’s worsening health condition.

According to BYC, Ali, 25, a student of Karachi University, was “forcibly disappeared” on July 17. “Day 34: Zahid Ali’s Protest Camp Continues at Karachi Press Club. Today marks the 34th consecutive day of the sit-in camp by the family of Zahid Ali, a 25-year-old IR student of Karachi University, who was forcibly disappeared along with his rickshaw on 17 July 2025. Despite his father Abdul Hameed’s worsening health condition, the family continues their protest with steadfast determination, demanding Zahid’s immediate and safe release.

Their struggle is a painful reminder of the ongoing wave of enforced disappearances that continues to tear apart families in Karachi and Balochistan,” BYC posted on X. On Saturday, BYC condemned the extrajudicial killing of Mullah Bahram, a resident of Kech district’s Koh Dagar, who was shot dead by “state-backed death squads” on Saturday.

The rights body stated that the incident showcased a pattern of consecutive targeted killings in the area. In a statement shared on Saturday on X, BYC stated: “Mullah Bahram, son of Abdul Ghafoor and a resident of Koh Dagar, sub-tehsil Mand, district Kech, was shot dead by state-backed death squads on the afternoon of September 6, 2025. This incident occurred within hours of the killing of Izhar, another youth resident of Mand, underscoring a pattern of consecutive targeted killings in the area.

According to eyewitnesses, the perpetrators were members of state-backed death squads operating under the command of the Pakistani forces and law enforcement agencies.” The rights group also condemned the extrajudicial killing of a Baloch teenager by Pakistan Army-backed death squads in Balochistan, which continue to target students, activists, and political opponents across the province. It mentioned that Izhar Mujeeb, a resident of Kech district, was shot dead by the Pakistan army’s death squads in Mand on Saturday.

Citing reports, the rights body stated that death squads opened fire on Izhar while he was at his shop in the morning. He was rushed to the hospital after sustaining critical injuries, but succumbed due to excessive bleeding. “Izhar, son of Mullah Mujeeb and a resident of Lebanon sub-tehsil, Mand (district Kech), was shot dead by state-backed death squads in the Soro area of Mand on September 6, 2025. According to reports, state-backed death squads opened fire on Izhar while he was at his shop earlier in the morning. He was rushed to the hospital after sustaining critical injuries, but succumbed due to excessive bleeding. Local sources confirm that the perpetrators were state-backed death squads operating under the command of Pakistani forces,” BYC posted on X.

–IANS

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BJP MPs Urge Manufactures, Traders To Pass On GST Rate Cut To Consumers

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The Commune
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gst registration rates pm modi insurance premium

The BJP Parliamentary Party on Sunday unanimously approved a resolution calling upon manufacturers, traders, big and small, to ensure that the GST reductions announced by the Narendra Modi-led government flow directly to the consumer.

“By passing on every saving and every relief, we honour the Prime Minister’s vision while strengthening the trust between shopkeeper and customer, trader and citizen. Lower prices will fuel higher demand, higher demand will boost prosperity for businesses and prosperity will reinforce the strength of the nation,” the resolution introduced by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at the meeting stated.

“Let us ensure that the GST reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi are remembered as a triumph of governance and a promise kept to the people of India. These far-reaching changes embody our unity, fairness and shared growth. Now it is the duty of every trader to pass on each rupee of relief to the consumer, turning reforms into ease of living, greater demand and a more prosperous economy. This is the Modi government’s call. It is a call for fairness, for growth and for every family in India to feel the benefit. It is a call for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” it added.

The resolution highlights that the new reforms in the GST promote production, encourage consumption and yet significantly add to the coffers of the nation. The reforms have further simplified the system and placed the citizen at its heart. Rates on essentials like food and medicines, as well as prices of electronic goods, have been significantly reduced, distortions such as inverted duties are being corrected, and procedures for small businesses, exporters and startups are being streamlined, it pointed out. These reforms reflect the goal of our government to bring ease in the lives of our citizens, empower traders and reinforce India’s path to self-reliance.

Steady growth in monthly collection touching Rs 2 lakh crore is a certain indication of greater compliance. It is also indicative of buoyancy in our economy, the resolution further stated. The resolution also states that eight years ago, under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India embraced the Goods and Services Tax, fulfilling the vision of “One Nation, One Tax.” What once was a cumbersome tax regime of VAT and multiple taxes, due to which our country struggled with a slow and fragmented economy, endless queues at inter-state toll booths, is now replaced by a unified market that has brought fairness, simplicity and strength to our economy, it said.

Before 2014, while the governments failed to bring in GST, Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only brought in GST but also brought it in with consensus from across the country, the resolution further stated. In just eight years, the GST taxpayer base has more than doubled from 66 lakh in 2017 to over 1.5 crore today, and annual collections have surged to more than Rs 22 lakh crore in FY 2024–25, growing at a CAGR of over 18 per cent. GST collections have now reached close to Rs 2 lakh crore a month, much higher than when this historic reform was implemented, the resolution added.

–IANS

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EPS To Launch Fifth Phase Of ‘Makkalai Kappom Thamizhagathai Meetpom’ On Sep 17

By
The Commune
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AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is set to roll out the fifth phase of his state-wide yatra, ‘Makkalai Kappom Thamizhagathai Meetpom’, on September 17 from Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri. The 10-day campaign will wind its way through several districts before drawing to a close on September 26 at Kulithalai in Karur district. In this leg of the yatra, Palaniswami will hold 19 public meetings from his campaign vehicle, covering Dharmapuri, Namakkal, The Nilgiris, Dindigul, and Karur districts.

Party cadres and senior leaders in these regions have been directed to mobilise supporters and ensure smooth conduct of the programmes, according to an announcement from the AIADMK headquarters. Since launching the campaign earlier this year, Palaniswami has already covered nearly 150 Assembly constituencies across Tamil Nadu. His rallies have consistently drawn large gatherings, reflecting his attempt to position the AIADMK as a formidable alternative to the ruling DMK.

The yatra began with its first phase in February from his home turf Salem, where Palaniswami promised to “protect the people and retrieve Tamil Nadu from DMK’s misrule”. That phase took him across western districts including Erode, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore. The second phase, launched in March, covered the delta belt of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam, where he highlighted farmers’ grievances and criticised the state’s handling of agriculture and water management. In the third phase, Palaniswami campaigned across northern districts such as Vellore, Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram, accusing the DMK of failing to deliver on electoral promises and calling upon voters to “restore AIADMK’s governance of development and welfare”.

The fourth phase focused on southern Tamil Nadu, where Palaniswami travelled through Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar and Tirunelveli districts, reiterating his pledge to bring back pro-people schemes launched under the previous AIADMK government. With each phase, Palaniswami has sought to energise party workers, consolidate AIADMK’s support base and project himself as the unquestioned leader of the party. He has repeatedly stressed that the 2026 polls will be a turning point for Tamil Nadu, vowing to return the AIADMK to power and steer the state “towards prosperity and development”. The fifth phase beginning September 17 will be closely watched, as it will test AIADMK’s organisational strength in Dharmapuri, Namakkal, and the western belt, regions considered crucial for the party’s revival.

–IANS

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Arunachal Youth Motivated To Don Uniform, Serve Nation As Agniveers: Army

By
The Commune
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The Indian Army, under the aegis of Army Recruiting Office, Jorhat (Assam), successfully conducted the Agniveer recruitment Rally at Gyaptong Regional Stadium, Rupa in Arunachal Pradesh, officials said on Sunday. Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that the event evoked a highly motivated response among the local youths, reinforcing their aspirations to don the uniform and serve the nation with pride as Agniveers.

Over 380 aspirants from various districts of Arunachal Pradesh reported and underwent physical fitness tests, physical measurement test, documentation, and medical examination as per the standards of the Indian Army, he said. In the three day (September 3-5) rally shortlisted candidates of Arunachal Pradesh had earlier qualified in the online common entrance examination.

The rally was flagged off by the Director Recruiting (North East States) and witnessed the gracious presence of senior Army officers and civil dignitaries, who extended encouragement and support to the youth participating in the event, the spokesman said. He said that the recruitment process was conducted in a transparent and fair manner, ensuring equal opportunity for all eligible candidates. The wholehearted support of the civil administration and local military authorities enabled the smooth and efficient conduct of the rally.

Lt Col Rawat said that the final merit list of successful candidates would be published in due course, after completion of all stages of the recruitment process. The Indian Army extends its appreciation to the people and administration of Arunachal Pradesh for their cooperation and congratulates all aspirants who participated with zeal and determination, the spokesman added. In a separate event, at the picturesque Lhalung village in Menchuka Valley in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi-Yomi district, the annual worship of the 500-year-old Chandan tree was held on Sunday with deep devotion and cultural fervor.

The sacred tree is revered by the local Buddhist community and symbolizes not only faith but also the enduring heritage of the region. The defence spokesman said that the monks from local monasteries, along with a large number of devotees, gathered at the site to offer prayers, light lamps, and perform rituals seeking peace, prosperity, and collective well-being. Elders of the village narrated the legends and history associated with the tree, passing on valuable cultural knowledge to the younger generation and reinforcing the community’s spiritual roots.

Troops assisted in organising the event and ensured seamless arrangements for the gathering. Beyond the ceremony, the Army has been actively engaged in the upkeep and preservation of this centuries-old heritage site through year-round stewardship, cleanliness drives, and maintenance of pathways leading to the sacred tree. The participation of local military authorities reflects the strong bond between the armed forces and the people of the region. Such initiatives not only safeguard cultural and religious traditions but also strengthen the spirit of civil–military harmony in remote border areas. The event concluded with a collective prayer for peace, unity, and prosperity in the valley. The annual worship of the Chandan tree continues to stand as a timeless reminder of Arunachal Pradesh’s spiritual richness and the shared commitment of the people and the Army to preserve it for future generations, Lt Col Rawat added.

–IANS

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