Across the hills and valleys of Arunachal Pradesh, a transformative energy is sweeping through rural communities as the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) rolls out its latest state-wide campaign. In June 2025, ArSRLM—under the Department of Rural Development—launched a series of district-level awareness and orientation programmes for the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), reaching deep into the heart of the state to inspire and inform unemployed youth, women, SHG members, and marginalized groups.
This campaign, marked by community-level events and vibrant participation, is designed to bridge information gaps and motivate young people to seize free skill-training and assured placement opportunities under DDU-GKY. At the Koloriang session in Kurung Kumey on June 19, over 150 participants listened as officials outlined the benefits: training in more than 50 trades, free accommodation and materials, and minimum monthly salaries of ₹6,000 and above. Districts like Keyi Panyor, Leparada, Kra Daadi, Papum Pare, and others also hosted impactful sessions, led by energetic district coordinators and supported by local leaders and Self-Help Groups.
What sets this campaign apart is its focus on inclusion—targeting not only rural youth, but also persons with disabilities, school dropouts, and members of marginalized communities. The Basar event in Leparada saw over 70 SHG and PRI representatives hear real-life success stories and register on the spot for training. At New Palin in Kra Daadi and Doimukh in Papum Pare, coordinators focused on mobilizing school leavers and job aspirants, emphasizing how DDU-GKY can change lives.
Building on strong past outreach (as reported in The Borderlens, 2023 and 2024), ArSRLM has refined its approach: mobilizing through SHGs and Gram Panchayats, blanketing public spaces with banners and posters, and promoting stories of success on social media platforms. Officials note a surge in candidate registrations and growing enthusiasm from rural communities—a trend echoed in earlier campaigns, where participants shared how skills training led to employment, independence, and newfound confidence (Borderlens, 2023).
ArSRLM’s mission goes beyond short-term placement. With ongoing collaboration between the Mission, training partners, and government stakeholders, there’s a clear commitment to building lasting pathways to employment and inclusion. As CEO Sangeeta Yirang highlighted in previous reviews, and as seen on the ground this month, the aim is to empower youth—especially from the most remote and vulnerable backgrounds—to find their footing in India’s growing economy (The Borderlens, 2023).
This new DDU-GKY drive is more than just a government initiative. It’s a call to Arunachal’s youth—an invitation to build skills, secure stable livelihoods, and transform not just their own futures but those of their families and communities.
