The yatra was led by Professor Anil Kumar Gupta of IIM Ahmedabad, along with 65 distinguished yatris having knowledge in various fields. The yatra covered 18 schools and 23 villages and ended on January 23 last.

Prof Gupta called their Shodh Yatra as successful and outstanding. Comparing with other states that they visited recently, he dubbed Village Biodiversity Management Committee and management of community conserved area as very excellent.

Observing the inherent creative ideas of local children, he suggested for recognition of such talented children. Further, he also observed that there is vast scope for adding value on knowledge of local herbal and bring product into market. Honey Bee Network through SRISTI & NIF is proposing to stay engaged with local communities, he said.

Taking reference of innovators like Lyagi Bath and Mihin Pussang who modified the paddy thresher by replacing belt with compatible safe, Gupta expressed his desire to invest in such innovations through various mechanisms and also to invite creative children at the festival of Innovation to be held from March 12 to 18 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also appreciated organic farming, local cuisine, Bamboo crafts, cultural creativity, social amenity and ecological sensitivity. He also recalled their interaction with farmer Hage Tado Nanya and her practice of conserving about 15 varieties of paddy and such other crops.

He expressed his gratitude to NCDMS chairman Rubu Buker and his members who assisted them in organizing the Yatra. Team of SRISTI, NIF and HBN also called on Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi after the end of their Yatra. The team shared their experience of interacting with children of Lower Subansiri district. Negi expressed enthusiasm about various ideas team shared with him. He has promised to initiate action on several suggestions. “We are sure that Arunachal Pradesh will show a new model for innovation promotion in the country. Shodh Yatras will lead to a long term change in education, culture, institutions and technological policy of the state and the country,” said Negi. He especially called on team to study the traditional use of cleaning water and burning of biomass at high altitude area practiced in the state.