The Yatra covered 78 villages of border area of 13 administrative circles of six districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The delegates of the Yatra conversed with 16 tribes residing on the border areas.
Methodology
AVP, a social organisation, decided to lead the society in inspiring the residents of the border areas by meeting them personally and sharing with them their concern and care. The delegates visited the houses in the villages. They met members of the families. The delegates created a friendly environment with them. They stayed with the families in their houses. They shared the facilities of the houses. The delegates of the team were motivated with the feelings of oneness. They shared the plates; they shared the food that was offered by the residents of the houses. They shared the same cups; they shared tea and water. They shared the same taste. They met mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers. They talked with them in simple and relaxed manner. The eminent persons, Goan budha, teachers, village council members, Anchal Samiti members, of the villages helped complete the questionnaire. This report is based on the information shared by the residents as well as informal discussions that took place on different occasions.
Around 97 delegates from 16 tribes of Arunachal Pradesh participated in the Yatra. They were divided into nine teams each comprising 10-12 members. Along with them whole-time workers of Arunachal Vikas Parishad who belong to different parts of the country viz. Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar and Assam, took part enthusiastically in the Yatra. It represented an Indian portrait to the residents of the villages of border areas.
Travelling
The Yatra was divided into two sections. One section went to western Arunachal Pradesh covering nine circles of five districts, namely West Siang, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley. It started its journey from Aalo on February 12, 2010. The Yatra commenced from Itanagar on February 11 was flagged off by IGP, Arunachal Pradesh Shri Dipak Mishra. This section covered 47 villages. These villages are inhabited by 11 tribes. The second section covered four circles of Anjaw and Dibang Valley district. The tribes inhabiting these circles are Meyor, Kaman Mishmi and Tawra Mishmi. It began its journey on February 12, 2010, from Tezu. Vehicles were available up to the circle headquarters as there was no motorable road ahead to reach up to the villages. The team that went to Goiliang had to walk for two days to reach the village from the motorable road where they had to leave the vehicles. The terrain is so uneven and difficult, particularly in Dibang Valley, that sometimes two-hour walking covering five km was unavoidable to reach the village. While crossing the Siang River, Kurung River on a bamboo bridge the team members enhanced and strengthened their belief in God. The team to Taksin had to walk through jungles and on mountains for four days to meet the residents of a single village.
The villagers participated in the flag-hoisting ceremonies in the villages proudly and enthusiastically. The students in school listened to points of the Yatra. They received the flags and assured to celebrate August 15 as well as January 26. In every village the AVP team donated the national flag to the village authority or to the school authority. Children from these areas are interested in studies. Earlier generations were left far away from the formal school education. Handful villages have produced graduates. The number of students who have passed class X is also very limited. Government schools are situated at circle levels. Students attend school regularly. The infrastructure that was seen in all the schools needs rectification and reformation. Although the Mission schools at Tato, Yorko as well as Mechukha town have good infrastructure.
