Guwahati: With development reaching the far-flung reaches of the Dibang Valley district in Arunachal Pradesh close to the LAC, the Indian Army is intensifying efforts to connect with the local Idu Mishmi population in the region and build confidence among the border people.
Under the banner of Operation Sadbhavana, the army in collaboration with the Dibang Valley Cricket Association, has launched the fifth edition of the Dibang Premier League (DPL) T20 Cricket Tournament in Anini Circle.
This year’s event features 14 teams from five ‘Vibrant Villages’ of Dibang Valley — Malinye, Gippulin, Emuli, Alinye and Angrim Valley. Besides fostering a sense of belonging among villagers living close to the Indo-Tibetan border, locals believe such events also strengthen ties between the military and civilians.
The tournament will run for two weeks, with the finals scheduled for December 26. The opening match at the New Stadium in Anini on 12 December saw the defending champions, Dibang Valiants, take on the Malinye Magnificents, a team from the vibrant village of Malinye, the last village along the Talon River valley.
Building on the overwhelming success of past editions and the growing cricket fervour in the region, this year’s tournament has been significantly promoted by the Indian Army and the district administration. The tournament has become a symbol of community spirit and youth engagement in Dibang Valley.
The event also promotes key social initiatives such as ‘Clean Dibang, Green Dibang’ – using waste plastic as boundary cushions to support a plastic-free Dibang. It also advocates for a ‘Drug-Free Dibang’ by motivating the youth to choose sports and shun any form of substance abuse.
Taking to social media, Arunachal Pradesh Governor, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, lauded the efforts of the Indian Army and said that the initiative under Operation Sadbhavana will nurture sports and promote cricketing talent in Dibang Valley.
It is only recently that the Central government launched its Vibrant Villages Programme to improve the quality of life and services for the border people in identified villages. Twenty-five villages have been selected under the Anini-Mipi block in Dibang Valley under this programme.