Siang, Arunachal Pradesh | September 22, 2026 : A series of interactive School Exhibitions on the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) concluded across four schools in Siang district between September 16 and September 21, 2026, reaching a combined total of approximately 640 students at Govt. Higher Secondary School, Rumgong; St. Joseph School, Kaying; Govt. Higher Secondary School, Kaying; and Govt. Higher Secondary School, Pessing.
The exhibitions formed part of a targeted educational outreach initiative to foster awareness about river management, sustainable hydropower, and SUMP among students in the project-affected villages of Rumgong, Kaying, and Pessing. By translating complex science and strategic development into accessible, youth-friendly concepts, the initiative sought to build a foundational understanding of India’s rivers among the younger generation, addressing student curiosity, fostering informed participation, and promoting transparent communication to build trust and equip students with factual knowledge over local rumours.
Each exhibition featured a guided walkthrough that visually traced the journey of the Siang River, simplifying key topics such as flood management, clean energy, and regional development through interactive engagement. This was followed by an interactive Q&A session, a key highlight of the outreach, in which students actively raised questions and engaged with the SUMP team on topics including water management, flood control, clean energy, and river conservation, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.
The drive began on September 16 at Govt. Higher Secondary School, Rumgong, with approximately 120 students in attendance, and continued the following day at St. Joseph School, Kaying, which recorded the highest turnout of the drive with approximately 260 students. The exhibition returned to Kaying on September 19, this time at Govt. Higher Secondary School, with approximately 80 students attending, before concluding on September 21 at Govt. Higher Secondary School, Pessing, with approximately 180 students in attendance. At each school, the school administration extended support to the programme, encouraging students to participate, ask questions, and engage with the exhibits.
Across all four schools, the exhibitions successfully bridged knowledge gaps and fostered curiosity and informed discussion among students, strengthening their understanding of information and the region’s future development. Officials noted that the school exhibition drive marks a continuing step toward building trust and long-term, transparent partnerships between the proposed project and the communities of Rumgong, Kaying, and Pessing villages.
