Students urged to better our society

DIMAPUR, JUNE 17: According to recent census, only 4.5% of population is a graduate in India and about 75% of India is not even a matriculate. This startling account was made by Commissioner of Taxes, Asangba Chuba Ao, at a felicitation event for HSLC and HSSLC toppers organized by Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) on Friday at Town Hall Dimapur. “With this census made available, we can envision where our nation is heading towards,” said Asangba adding “Achievement may be heartening but we need to ponder on what can be for a better future and also look at other realities too with problems in education, illiteracy and unemployment.” He said only the toppers would not take Nagaland forward but with a joint effort from ‘us’ we could do things together. He said ‘Employability’ is a defining word for future generations as the time is changing unlike the bygone days where any graduate person got a government job in Nagaland. With technology taking control over our lives, the bureaucrat urged the students that they don’t have to go out of the state for studies as technology has made information available to us at our finger tips. Acknowledging that we Naga are fun loving who get easily distracted, the Commissioner exhorted on them to learn to say ‘No’ if we want to achieve something. On inspiration, Asangba persuaded the student community to be inspired by something to add spark in our activities and compete with the best to know our capabilities. He concluded by calling on the students to follow the 3D formula-Determination, Dedication and Discipline to be successful and be the best ambassador for Nagaland. Chief guest and SDO (Civil), Dimapur, Albert Ezung, addressing the student community remarked that the road ahead is a long way as their journey has just started. He also reminded them that with their achievement they should not give room for over confidence. He advised that the central objective in their life should be the zeal to succeed in life and do justice. “In our pursuit of achievement, excellence is important. But what is important is that education should be looked in a holistic way,” conveyed Ezung. Values and virtues are being deviated from our focus and we are at crossroad stuck between modernism and tradition. However, education lays foundation of our future and keeping this in mind, education should be tool to make us a good citizen and through education we should ensure peace, development and prosperity in society, concluded Ezung. Earlier, the keynote address was delivered by DNSU President, Sungkum Aier, and the blessing of the toppers was pronounced by FNBA President, Rev. Dr. Visor H Zeliang. The felicitation for the toppers was conducted by DNSU General Secretary, Joshua Solo, and vote of thanks was delivered by the Secretary Education & Statistics, Daniel Semp. With stiff competition among the student community and institutions, Dimapur topped amongst the rank holders. Altogether 24 students from Dimapur secured toppers in HSLC 2016, while five students in HSSLC 2016 Arts stream, nine students for HSSLC 2016 Commerce stream and six students for HSSLC 2016 Science stream.