States » East


Arunachal’s Silluk village features in CBSE textbook for zero-waste transformation

Itanagar, June 22 (UNI) In a moment of immense pride for Arunachal Pradesh, Silluk village under Mebo sub-division in East Siang district has been featured in the NCERT’s CBSE Class 3 Environmental Studies (EVS) textbook (Chapter 12), titled “Taking Charge of Waste.” The chapter highlights Silluk’s remarkable journey from a waste-ridden village to India’s first government-recognised Zero Waste Village.
Once nicknamed “Gobar Basti” (Poop Village) due to rampant open cattle rearing and waste-littered roads, the village witnessed a transformation in 2019 when local youth Kepang Nong Borang of the Adi tribe launched the Swachh Silluk Abhiyan (SSA). This grassroots movement restored dignity, hygiene, and sustainability to the village and became a model of community-driven development.
SSA Chairman Kepang Nong Borang said, “We began this mission in 2019. Since then, we have received three State Awards and the prestigious 11th Balipara Foundation Award. Silluk is no longer just a clean village — it’s becoming a vibrant tourism destination.”
He appealed for further government support: “With national attention now on Silluk, we urge the authorities to allocate dedicated funds and develop it as a model eco-tourism village.”
Reacting to the recognition, Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated the people of Silluk, stating: “Congratulations to Silluk Village in East Siang for making it to the NCERT Class 3 EVS textbook! Featured in the chapter ‘Taking Charge of Waste’, Silluk is now a national model for zero-waste living and grassroots cleanliness.
From scattered waste to spotless streets and green lanes, the people of Silluk have shown what true community spirit looks like. Now, students across India will learn from Silluk’s inspiring journey — a powerful message that change begins at home.”
Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng also conveyed his hearty felicitations to the people of Silluk on this national recognition. “This is not just a local success — it’s a proud milestone for all of Arunachal Pradesh,” he said. He credited the villagers’ commitment and the leadership of SSA for the transformation.
Tayeng also fondly recalled the efforts of then Deputy Commissioner Kinny Singh, whose decisive leadership helped Silluk earn the title of the "Cleanest Village." “Her commitment, along with the villagers’ resolve, laid the foundation for this incredible journey,” he noted.
The inclusion of Silluk in the national curriculum stands as a testament to the impact of civic participation, sustainable practices, and local leadership. It is a proud milestone not only for East Siang but for the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh.
UNI TD SS
More News

Tripura ranks 3rd fully literate states in India

23 Jun 2025 | 10:29 AM

Agartala, June 23 (UNI) Tripura has become the third Indian state to be ‘fully literate’ after Goa and Mizoram. The literacy rate of the state had been more than 90 per cent for over a decade, but was lagging in a few parameters, which have now been achieved.

see more..
Six militants nabbed in Manipur

Six militants nabbed in Manipur

23 Jun 2025 | 9:49 AM

Imphal, June 23 (UNI) Security forces in Manipur have intensified operations across the state, resulting in the arrest of multiple insurgent cadres and the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, police said on Monday.

see more..

Arunachal’s Silluk village features in CBSE textbook for zero-waste transformation

23 Jun 2025 | 2:44 AM

Itanagar, June 22 (UNI) In a moment of immense pride for Arunachal Pradesh, Silluk village under Mebo sub-division in East Siang district has been featured in the NCERT’s CBSE Class 3 Environmental Studies (EVS) textbook (Chapter 12), titled “Taking Charge of Waste.” The chapter highlights Silluk’s remarkable journey from a waste-ridden village to India’s first government-recognised Zero Waste Village.

see more..

Oikko Moncho: Kolkata Pride Walk 2025

23 Jun 2025 | 12:16 AM

Kolkata, June 22 (UNI) On Sunday, the city once again became the site of one of the subcontinent's most enduring declarations of queer visibility, the 26th Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk, the oldest Pride march in Asia and India's pioneering public demonstration of LGBTQ+ visibility, first held in 1999 as the Friendship Walk.

see more..
Bengal: Six killed in Trekker-dumper collision in Murshidabad Distt

Bengal: Six killed in Trekker-dumper collision in Murshidabad Distt

22 Jun 2025 | 10:43 PM

Kolkata, June 22 (UNI) At least six people were killed, of them four women and a child, and over dozen sustained multiple wounds in a head-on collision between a Trekker and a dumper in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Sunday, official sources said.

see more..