Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Pasighat Director Dr Sanjeev Singh Moirangmayum has urged students to give equal importance to sports and academics, stating that participation in sporting activities is essential for their overall physical, mental and personal development.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the annual sports meet of Donyi Polo Vidya Niketan (DPVN) at Talom Rukbo Nagar in Pasighat on Wednesday. Emphasising the role of sports in shaping young minds, Dr Moirangmayum said sporting activities help students develop discipline, leadership qualities, confidence and the ability to deal with setbacks.
He said sports should not be treated merely as an extracurricular activity but as an important part of education. According to him, regular participation in sports contributes to physical fitness and mental well-being while helping students develop qualities that are useful in different stages of life.
Highlighting the achievements of sportspersons associated with Rashtriya Raksha University, Dr Moirangmayum cited the examples of judoka Naorem Roshibina, mountaineer Kabak Yano and Taekwondo athlete Rupa Bayor.
He referred to Naorem Roshibina’s achievements at three Asian Games, following which she joined the Manipur Police Department as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
He also highlighted the achievement of Kabak Yano, a mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh, who became the first woman from the Nyishi community and the fifth woman from the state to successfully summit Mount Everest.
Another example he mentioned was Taekwondo athlete Rupa Bayor, who has entered the top five in global rankings and secured the number one position in Asia.
Dr Moirangmayum said these achievements demonstrated that sports could create professional opportunities for young people and help them establish successful careers beyond conventional academic pathways.
Appreciating Donyi Polo Vidya Niketan for organising the annual sports meet, he said the school’s campus at 3 Mile, Pasighat, had adequate playground facilities and space to encourage students to participate in various sporting disciplines.
He also invited interested students to visit the RRU Pasighat campus and use the facilities available at its sports science laboratory. He said students could undergo assessments to understand their physical fitness and muscular development, which would help those interested in pursuing sports professionally identify their strengths and areas requiring improvement.