In Kibithoo, a remote village near the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, children now download homework under solar lights, thanks to satellite-powered internet terminals from BharatNet Phase-II. Once devoid of mobile signals or digital access, the village’s school, panchayat office, and homes now buzz with connectivity, marking a digital revolution in one of India’s easternmost regions.

“Before, we waited days for news. Now, my kids watch science videos online,” said Kunsang Chodon Meyor, a mother of two. Arunachal’s rugged terrain and scattered settlements long hindered digital inclusion, but BharatNet, alongside 4G towers from BSNL and Airtel, has connected over 1,300 gram panchayats, with 500 more planned via satellite or microwave links.

Education is transforming rapidly. In Menchuka, Shi-Yomi district, teachers like Dege Ete use smart TVs and digital content to engage students, overcoming delays in textbook deliveries. Digital libraries with offline Wi-Fi intranets share e-books and videos, preserving bandwidth. “Interactive apps make learning exciting,” Ete noted.

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E-commerce is also thriving. In Dirang and Ziro, farmers and artisans, trained by NGOs and Common Service Centres, sell products online. “I sell pickles on WhatsApp to buyers in Assam,” said Rubu Yassung, a Ziro entrepreneur. Government services, like PM-Kisan and ration card applications, are now accessible online, sparing villagers arduous trips.

Challenges persist—landslides, unreliable power, and limited digital literacy among older residents slow progress. “Connectivity is just the start; we need training and affordable data,” said tech volunteer Sangey Pema from Tawang. Since April 2023, 254 4G towers have connected 336 villages, with 1,156 more planned, boosting education, healthcare, and agriculture.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu, in a recent X post, called digital governance a tool to eliminate inefficiencies and restore trust, emphasizing its role in transforming Arunachal’s socio-economic landscape.

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