Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 12 (EMN): The first edition of the Y Mangko Trust award conferred by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) for the toppers of the recently declared Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) was held at The Deck, Hotel Vivor in Kohima on Sunday afternoon.
The background of the award was presented by Dr. M Longai Phom wherein he recalled the life of his father Y Mangko -- his early education, political career and later becoming president of Phom People’s Council (PPC), wherein the district inauguration was held during his time. He added that Y Mangko went to become the president of Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) for two terms and it was under his presidency that the statehood demand for eastern Nagaland first started.
He maintained that Y Mangko had a 'passion for education', and for which it led the family to start the initiative of Y Mangko Trust. Towards this, he advised the recipients and students to work hard, stressing on the importance of education and giving back to the society.
Meanwhile, a short speech was delivered by Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) General Secretary and Advisor for Land Resources, CL John wherein he congratulated the students for the feat and bringing laurels.
He viewed that the Nagaland education system was ‘going wrong and had to go back to the Bible’; and the virtues of the forefathers needed to be inculcated in practical education to solve the unemployment problem, adding that the youth should adapt to work culture.
‘Getting top (position) is just the beginning, be humble in the sight of God and be of service to mankind’, he said.
Further, he also appreciated and commended the family members of Y Mangko for the initiative to encourage and inspire the students to strive and excel.
The awards were presented to the six toppers from eastern Nagaland by R Tsaikiu Sangtam, President of ENPO.
The recipients of the award for HSLC were Sangyuchenla Chang, Top 9 received INR 20,000; Lirola T Sangtam Top 11 received INR 15,000; Büben Khammon Chang, Top 12 received INR 15,000; Yingmei M Konyak Top 20 received INR 15,000.
Meanwhile, Ngamjong JN Yanlem, Top 1 (Science) received INR 25,000 and Dorela Jangru, Top 6 (Arts) received INR 20,000 for HSSLC.
On the occasion, special song was presented by Phangmei Yanlem, while prayer for the awardees was offered by Rev. N Pomo Khiamniungan, pastor of KBCK and invocation prayer was said by Y T Tsenthong Tikhir, pastor of TBCK. The programme was chaired by Manglang Phom, General Secretary of ENPO.
The programme was attended by Minister for Health and Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom; NLA Deputy Speaker Yangseo Sangtam, family members of Y Mangko; frontal organisations of the ENPO and family members of the toppers.