First Batch of Students from Ziro

The non-tribal people -halyañs - represented power. The Apatanis had learnt their lessons in several incidents, notably Kure Chambyo. While the nightmare of these incidents were still haunting the people, the government had initiated the process of bringing in education in the Ziro valley. Naturally, the teachers were looked at with suspicion and fear. They, however, cajoled several of the parents to send their children to school.

It was unimaginable to send a girl-child to school those days. And the better to do people refused to send their children to school as they had more important jobs at home like helping in agricultural fields and in the jungles. The poorer people were usually persuaded to educate their children.

The first several batches of students persisted due to their sheer determination. The neighbors looked down upon them as good-for-nothing lazy boys who avoided works and went to school. Most parents constantly tried to pressurize them to drop out. In order to keep their parent happy, they had to get up early in the morning, get a bundle of firewood and then go to school. After returning from the school again, they either brought more bundles of firewood or joined in the agricultural works. There are several instances when a boy lied to his parent that he is going to the jungle to fetch firewood, then attend the classes and return home with a bundle of firewood.

The children in this video, our abañs, beat the way for the rising sun.

First College at Ziro

Ziro is today known for the numbers of good quality private schools. What was lacking was an institute for higher education. In spite of being one of the oldest district headquarters in Arunachal Pradesh, there was no sight of such an institute. All these changed, however, when the picturesque Salalya was donated to the Claretian Missionaries to establish a college in 2003. The St. Claret College, Ziro came into existence.

A pleasant road now leads to the sprawling college campus. One goes through the Laji Bogya where the Bulla Middle School, one of the oldest schools in the entire area is located. With the Kalung Rantii on the right and mythical Dogiñ Nanii on the left, one can see magestic pine trees and picture post-card like landscapes all along.

The neatly maintained college in the cradle of nature is worth a visit.