Gauhati University held its 32nd Convocation Ceremony on 25th April 2025 with great pride and celebration. A significant highlight of the event was the conferring of the Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa, upon Shri Chowna Mein, the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public service, cultural preservation, and regional development.
Shri Mein, a veteran political leader, has held numerous key positions in the Arunachal Pradesh government since 1998. He began his legislative journey as Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly and served as a Cabinet Minister from 1999 onwards. Since 2016, he has held the post of Deputy Chief Minister, overseeing major departments such as Finance, Power, and Non-Conventional Energy Resources, playing a pivotal role in reforming the state’s hydropower sector. And notably the longest-serving deputy chief minister of the state in the country.
Beyond his political career, Shri Mein has emerged as a prominent cultural advocate, especially for the Tai Khamti community. He is a founding member of the Tai Khamti Heritage and Literary Society and has contributed significantly to the revival of traditional folk songs, music, and the tonal script of the Tai language.
Under his leadership, the iconic Golden Pagoda, also known as Kongmu Kham, was constructed in Chongkham, symbolizing the fusion of cultural preservation and spiritual devotion. The temple complex also includes an old age home established through his initiative to provide care and dignity to the elderly.
In addition, Shri Mein has championed the transformation of Parshuram Kund into a major pilgrimage destination and has been a vocal proponent for reopening the historic Stilwell Road to strengthen connectivity between India and Southeast Asia.
His contributions also extend to promoting the intellectual and cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. He played a key role in securing Geographical Indication (GI) tags for 18 indigenous products and collaborated with Rajiv Gandhi University to document over 220 unsung heroes of the state. He was instrumental in upgrading the university from a state to a central institution and also successfully organized the C-20 Summit 2023 in Namsai.
In light of these distinguished achievements, Gauhati University honoured Shri Chowna Mein with an honorary doctorate, recognizing his lifelong commitment to leadership, cultural integrity, and public welfare.