As a representative of ACT, I had the opportunity to participate in an Educational Village Tour in Namsai District along with students from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. The tour covered Lower Silatoo Village, New Jaipur Village, Dadumjona Village, and the Assamese-speaking border village of Rangalibeel located along the Arunachal–Assam border.
As part of the educational exposure program, the team also visited Riwatch Museum in Roing, gaining valuable insights into the indigenous heritage, traditional lifestyle, cultural diversity, and history of Arunachal Pradesh.
The visit provided meaningful exposure to rural life, indigenous governance systems, community participation, and sustainable livelihood practices. Interactive discussions were held with Village GBs, women Self Help Groups (SHGs), youths, and local residents on topics including the traditional Adi village council system popularly known as the Kebang system, traditional culture, local cuisine, attire, agriculture, fishery, biodiversity, and the growing potential of responsible rural and cultural tourism.
The experience served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, learning, and understanding diverse perspectives on rural development and community-led initiatives. Gratitude is extended to the local communities for their warm hospitality and enriching experience throughout the journey.
