ZIRO/YAZALI, 5 Jul: Fresh from taking his oath in the Rajya Sabha, Member of Parliament Tai Tagak immediately returned to the ground, embarking on a two-day maiden tour of Keyi Panyor and Lower Subansiri districts.
Driven by a commitment to public service, his journey seamlessly wove together urgent humanitarian relief for disaster survivors, a forward-looking vision for local development, and a celebration of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The tour began on a solemn note on 4 July, as Tagak led a high-level joint delegation straight to ground zero of the flash flood devastation in Possa and the NEEPCO Colony under Yazali circle. Alongside Nyapin MLA Tai Nikio and Raga MLA Rotom Tebin, he walked through the debris left behind by the catastrophic 24 June cloudburst. Deeply moved during his interactions with displaced families at the temporary relief camps, Tagak offerred commiserations to those who lost everything.
Turning empathy into concrete support, he handed over Rs 2.50 lakh to Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung and another Rs 2.50 lakh to Keyi Panyor Deputy Commissioner Shweta Nagarkoti Mehta. This collective sum of Rs 5 lakh will provide immediate ex gratia of Rs 50,000 each to the families of the five individuals who tragically lost their lives -solidifying a relief effort that began on 30 June when the MP rushed an emergency assistance of Rs 7 lakh to the district administration.
Tagak spent time listening to NEEPCO officials and residents alike, promising to advocate comprehensive, long-term rehabilitation packages at both the state and the central government levels.
As the afternoon transitioned into evening, the focus shifted from grief to hope and renewal. Tagak joined the community for an ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ tree plantation drive at the ITI campus in Dilopolyang in Ziro in Lower Subansiri district, timed to honour the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. Organised in partnership with the Hong Dree Festival Committee, the green initiative became a lively forum. Tagak spent hours speaking with students and faculty members, encouraging the next generation to spark local innovation, step into entrepreneurship, and actively build a self-reliant India.
The morning of 5 July brought another deeply human encounter as the MP visited Achukuru (Mother’s Home) in Old Ziro, a grassroots sanctuary providing refuge, care, and education to orphaned, homeless, and destitute women and children. Deeply touched by the selflessness of its founder, Tailyang Santhi, Tagak expressed his profound gratitude for her service to humanity. Beyond bringing immediate comforts – donating mattresses, fresh fruits, and Rs 1 lakh in cash – he committed to long-term structural support, pledging to secure proper road connectivity to ensure that the home is never isolated.
The finale of the tour took place at the Hanoko ground in Hong village, where Tagak was welcomed for the Dree festival celebration.
Immersing himself in the spirit of the Apatani community, the MP paid special tribute to the Dree nyibus (indigenous priests), honouring their vital role in preserving traditional knowledge, and also felicitated the meritorious Classes 10 and 12 students of Hong village.
Amidst the festive atmosphere, Tagak delivered a major milestone for the region by officially declaring Lower Subansiri as his parliamentary nodal district.
He expressed desire to work hand-in-hand with local legislators and district leaders to co-create a model district championed by synchronised growth. To help boost the local economy, he officially launched a new digital directory curated by the Ziro Tourism Organisation. In a final gesture of solidarity and respect for the local traditions, Tagak presented a donation of Rs 2.50 lakh to the celebration committee through Niiti ZPM-cum-organising secretary Kago Kampu, and announced the gift of a mithun for the upcoming Dree festival cycle.
