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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Speaking to The New Indian’s Executive Editor, Rohan Dua, during the Lok Sabha coverage in Arunachal’s capital, Itanagar, Yowa Yama, 27, emphasised the sentiment of pure Indianness among the locals.
NEW DELHI: The recent move by China to rename 30 locations in Arunachal Pradesh has sparked outrage among locals, who assert their identity as proud Indians and condemn China’s territorial claims.
Speaking to The New Indian‘s Executive Editor, Rohan Dua, during the Lok Sabha coverage in Arunachal’s capital, Itanagar, Yowa Yama, 27, emphasised the sentiment of pure Indianness among the locals, stating, “We are pure Indians, why should we care about what the Chinese say? What matters to us is what the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi are telling us in Parliament. When they assure us that we are citizens of this country, why should we get angry or react to what China says?”
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However, Damto Dunchak expressed concern over internal discrimination, stating, “I feel that no matter what China says, it doesn’t affect us. But when people within our own country engage in racism against us in the Northeast, it hurts us. We feel pain when our people discriminate against us; what difference does it make what outsiders say?”
Mallorina, a postgraduate in Education, echoed the sentiment of pride in Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh. She denounced China’s territorial claims and commended the Indian government’s infrastructure initiatives, particularly praising the recent inauguration of the Sela Tunnel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Neither we are theirs nor will we ever be; Arunachal is and will remain a part of India, and we take pride in it,” added Mallorina.
Addressing China’s renaming efforts, a middle-aged lady, Tatung Raja asserted, “When the name is changed, it is obvious that we, the people of Arunachal, do not like it, but China does it for themselves. The changed names by China in our Arunachal have no significance or impact.” Tatung Raja further emphasised the steadfast loyalty of Arunachal Pradesh to India, stating, “I want to tell China to stay in their place; Arunachal and we are a part of India and will continue to be so.”
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China’s decision to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh marks the fourth instance of such unilateral actions. This move follows Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal, where he inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, aimed at facilitating troop movement in the mountainous region.
India has consistently rejected China’s renaming efforts and dismissed claims over Arunachal Pradesh, reiterating its integral part of India. Beijing asserts Arunachal as part of the southern region of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), referred to as “zagnan.”
