List of people from Arunachal Pradesh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of notable people from Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Arts
- Mamang Dai – poet, novelist and journalist of the Adi community; recipient of the Padma Shri (2011) and the Sahitya Akademi Award in English (2017) for The Black Hill[1]
- Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi – Assamese-language novelist of the Sherdukpen community; recipient of the Padma Shri (2020) and Sahitya Akademi Award (2005) for the novel Mauna Outh Mukhar Hriday[2]
Defence
Gallantry award recipients
- Hangpan Dada – Ashoka Chakra (posthumous, 2016); killed in action against militants in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir[3]
Freedom fighters
Insurgents
- Anthony Doke – Commander in Chief of Tani Army
Other notable military personnel
Entertainment
- Chum Darang – actress and model; appeared in Paatal Lok (2020), Badhaai Do (2022) and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022); fourth runner-up on Bigg Boss 18[4]
Politicians
Chief Ministers
- Prem Khandu Thungon, the first Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh (1975–1979)
- Tomo Riba (1979–1980)
- Gegong Apang (1980–1999; 2003–2007); longest-serving Chief Minister of the state[5]
- Mukut Mithi (1999–2003); later Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry
- Jarbom Gamlin (May–November 2011)
- Nabam Tuki (2011–2016)
- Kalikho Pul (February–July 2016)
- Pema Khandu (2016–present); third consecutive term sworn in June 2024[6]
Present and ex Union Ministers
- Kiren Rijiju – Union Cabinet Minister; BJP MP for Arunachal West[7]
- Ninong Ering – former Union Minister of State; former MP from Arunachal East
- Daying Ering – former Deputy Minister, Government of India
Other politicians from Arunachal Pradesh
- Bamang Felix – MLA from Nyapin; former Home Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
- Chowna Mein – Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh since 2016; the longest-serving incumbent Deputy Chief Minister in India[8]
- Jomin Tayeng – first IAS officer from Arunachal Pradesh; MLA from Dambuk
- Takam Sanjoy – former INC Member of Parliament
Civil services and bureaucracy
- Tati Lego – administrator
- Robin Hibu – senior IPS officer; founder of the welfare initiative Helping Hands for people from the Northeast
- Shakuntala Doley Gamlin – former Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh; former Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India
Social activism
- Binny Yanga – social worker; founder of the Oju Welfare Association
Healthcare
- Yanung Jamoh Lego, Indian folk herbalist
Sports
Mountaineering
- Anshu Jamsenpa – mountaineer; first woman in the world to summit Mount Everest twice within five days (2017); five-time Everest summiteer[9]
- Tapi Mra – first person from Arunachal Pradesh to summit Mount Everest (2009)
- Tine Mena – first woman from Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast to summit Mount Everest (2011)
Religion
- Talom Rukbo – the founding figure of the Donyi-Polo indigenous-faith revival movement
Non-Arunachalis with significant contributions to Arunachal Pradesh
- Major Ralengnao "Bob" Khathing, MC, MBE, Padma Shri – Tangkhul Naga officer from Manipur; led the 1951 expedition that integrated Tawang into the Indian Union; later Indian ambassador to Myanmar and Chief Secretary of Nagaland[10]
- Verrier Elwin – British-born Indian anthropologist; Anthropological Adviser to the Government of NEFA; author of A Philosophy for NEFA (1957); his work shaped early tribal-affairs policy in the region[11]
