https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

37 Young Officers Devise a Unique Way to Develop Arunachal

37 officers from the 2016 batch of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (APCS) formed a group called ‘Project 37’ to develop their state and help the people.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the easternmost state of India, Arunachal Pradesh, also called the Land of the Rising Sun, 37 young officers are rising above official duties to develop their home state. In a unique gesture of generosity and magnanimity, these officers from the 2016 batch of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (APCS) pool in their own money every second month and utilize it to undertake developmental works for the people. So, it’s not just the first rays of the morning sun that touch the Arunachali people, but the Project 37 group is also touching their lives by bringing them hope.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, one of the officers from the Project 37 group, Tashi Wangchhu Thongdok, who is Lower Subansiri District’s Yazali Block officer, explained the group objective in detail and outlined the projects they have undertaken so far.

PROJECT 37

Mr. Thongdok revealed that the idea came up in August 2020, when all 37 officers discussed about the need for a group initiative to touch lives. They were unanimous in their wish to give back to society and took the decision that every member would contribute Rs. 3000 every two months to a fund. They also formed a WhatsApp group, and it was decided that the officers will put forward their proposals to utilize the money in this group and the idea that receives the highest vote will be taken up and executed with the pooled money.

“Unfortunately, one of our colleagues passed away. So, Project 37 has 36 officers now. Each one of us chip in Rs. 3000 every two months which amounts to a total of Rs. 1,08,000, which is then utilized in one project. If it’s my turn, I decide what project to work on and then go for crowdfunding accordingly. At times, we also approach public leaders for additional funds for a project, but the execution of the project is done completely by us,” Mr. Thongdok told Indian Masterminds.

PROJECTS EXECUTED TILL NOW

The group has successfully executed seven projects till now. In the very first project of the initiative, the officers pooled in their money to renovate an old library in Khimiyang circle. The second time, a ring well cum water supply project for a government upper primary school was inaugurated in Pakke-Kessang district.

The amount pooled for the third project was contributed as relief assistance to the fire victims of Longliang village under Lazu circle in Tirap district. The fourth project was the refurbishment of the boys’ hostel complex of a government higher secondary school in Sille block.

Under the fifth project, a new conference hall was inaugurated at the circle office in Papum Pare district while the sixth project developed tourist spots at Jenging in Upper Siang district.

MODERN LEARNING CENTER

Under the seventh project, the group dedicated a modern learning center to a government residential school in Yazali circle. The school has around 130 students.

“I decided to provide a modern style of education to the children, complete with three sets of computer with printers, microscopes with slides, new and interesting books for the library, and 30 sets of desks and benches,” Mr. Thongdok said.

This project fund exceeded the collected amount as the total cost was Rs. 2,80,000. Hence, a few officers from the group contributed more than usual. Few local MLAs also contributed to this project.

Modern Learning Centre

Most of the students in the school did not know the basics of computers, while some saw computers for the first time in their life.

“I wanted to give them the basic computer knowledge so that they know all the components and are able to operate it. I have also donated comics like Tinkle, Chacha Chaudhary, Amar Chitra Katha etc., to the school so that the students’ understanding of language and grasping power are developed through interesting pictures and accompanied texts,” Mr. Thongdok informed.

In conclusion, the officer appeals to all privileged people in the country to give back to society in some way. Even a little contribution can go a long way in lighting up someone’s life – a life that has been existing in darkness, without basic necessities, without care, without love and, sadly, without hope.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
PESB Declines to Recommend CMD for Hindustan Shipyard; Ministry May Extend Current Chief’s Tenure
IAS Ajitabh Sharma
“80% of Time Spent on Non-Core Tasks”: Rajasthan Principal Secretary Ajitabh Sharma Questions IAS Work Culture, Calls for Reform
Nitin Gadkari
India to Become Net Energy Exporter in 6-7 Years, Highlights Hydrogen and Biofuels: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Bank of India - BOI
Bank of India Plans to Raise Rs 20,000 Crore via Infrastructure Bonds in FY 2025-26
BEML Limited
For Operational Excellence, BEML Lays Foundation of State-of-the-Art Central Warehousing Centre in Bilaspur
rec-logo
Green Energy Boost: REC Forms New Subsidiary for 3GW Ananthapuram-II REZ Transmission Project
Bhupendra Patel CM Gujarat
CM Bhupendra Patel’s Pro-People Move: Uniform House Tax of ₹200 Annually for Rural Government-Assisted Homes in Gujarat
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar: Gaya to Become Bihar’s Largest Industrial Township Under AKIC; ₹16,524 Cr Investment Expected
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Why Has the DGCA Fined Air India Rs 5 Crore Since Privatisation?
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
Iran Is Weakest Now, Needs a Face-Saver
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
Retired Officers Lead 7-Day Mission to Revive Betwa River with 55 Check Dams | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Social Media
Shailaja Chandra
“Nanis & Dadis Have a Brain”: Former IAS Officer Shailaja Chandra Weighs in on 1970s vs 2025 Life Debate - “This Generation Has It Better”
Responding to Viral Post on Middle-Class Struggles, Ex-Bureaucrat Offers Candid Reflection on Then and...
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
PESB Declines to Recommend CMD for Hindustan Shipyard; Ministry May Extend Current Chief’s Tenure
IAS Ajitabh Sharma
“80% of Time Spent on Non-Core Tasks”: Rajasthan Principal Secretary Ajitabh Sharma Questions IAS Work Culture, Calls for Reform
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT