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PB Acharya poses for a group photograph with toppers and rank-holders at the presentation of the Governor’s Award at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima town on May 26.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 26 (EMN): Toppers and rank holders of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) board examinations for 2017 were felicitated at a grand ceremony of the Governor’s Award and NBSE Awards that was held at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan this morning.
The HSLC and HSSLC examinations’ toppers were each awarded with the Governor’s Award of Rs 25,000 and a certificate; and NBSE award which carries a cash award of Rs 25,000, a medal and a certificate. All the rank holders were awarded with a citation each.
Congratulating the students on their meritorious performance, Governor, PB Acharya said they will be the torch bearers and pillars of Nagaland after some years and will lead the society in various capacities.
He also reminded them that the ultimate goal of education is not getting a degree, but a beginning to acquire knowledge which should be translated into creating ‘wealth’ towards serving the society and helping the poor.
‘Achievers become real achiever when they share their achievement and knowledge with other people’ said Acharya and cautioned that knowledge becomes a ‘demon and looter’ if the purpose is only to grab money and accumulate money for oneself.
Expressing concern on the lack of opportunities in the Eastern part of the state, Acharya has called upon the proprietors of the private educational institutions to start up schools in the remote areas of the state.
This can happen only when a person has genuine concern to make people acquire knowledge through their educational institutions, by not only restricting to major towns of the state but in the remote places where there no opportunities for the poor.
Justifying his statement, Acharya said unless the poorest of the poor are strengthened, Nagaland cannot become a strong state. Hence, he said it is the duty of every person to empower the poor through education. He also fervently appealed the private institutions not to commercialise their educational institutions.
Also speaking on the drain of wealth and expertise, Acharya has asserted on the need to diversify the education system in terms of ‘skill education’ pointing out that the state has the potential to become the greatest and prosperous nation with no dearth of human resources.
Advising the students, Acharya urged the students ask themselves on why they are acquiring knowledge, open their mind, see the world and achieve something and give back to the society by uplifting their tribes, villages and the state.
‘Every person is a valuable book and every individual is a great thought said Acharya and suggested them to make more friends, learn from them and gain more knowledge.
Stating that there are about two third of student dropouts from class-VIII to class-XII, Minister for School Education & SCERT, Yitachu said it was a matter of serious concern that needs to be addressed seriously.
The governor advised the students to ‘develop a clean heart’ and a ‘sense of helping fellowmen’ as they continue their journey, and give back to the society.
In his address, Principal Secretary FP Solo pointed out that though this year the examinations were held under unprecedented circumstances, the results were one of the best since 2009.
The students were also reminded to be prepared to struggle and struggle, if they want to achieve something in life. ‘To survive in the present highly competitive environment is not easy. There is no shortcut or soft option said Solo and added that one must have strong survival instincts and be prepared to face any eventuality in life.
NBSE Chairman, Asano Sekhose stated that education is beyond marks and grades and more about learning. In the race of excellence, the students were advised to help others and make others smile.
The students were wished the best in their future endeavours as they continue to pursue their dreams.
Governor PB Acharya has announced a new Governor’s Award for meritorious students in ‘mother tongue’ and ‘skill education’ starting next year, 2018. He announced it during the presentation of Governor’s Award to toppers and rank-holders at Raj Bhavan this morning.
He expressed deep concern at the lack of skill education in the state amongst the lakh of graduates who are ‘unemployable.’ As a strong believer in the promotion of ‘mother tongue’, Acharya said rank holders and most skilled students who opt for allied subject through which they can be become entrepreneurs will be awarded starting next academic year, 2018.
The governor expressed happiness and congratulated the government for its new policy in introducing mother tongue in the school level starting next year.
He expressed concern that ‘knowingly and unknowingly we are uprooting our identity and bypassing our mother tongue and cultural roles’ and was optimistic that this new policy of the government would encouraged the people to be real and stand firm on the greatness of the Naga culture and society to preserve the same.
