President of India Pranab Mukhejee, who is also Visitor of Nagaland University lauded Nagaland University for making great strides in various fields of teaching and research by imparting quality education to students from the north east region.
Speaking at the 3rd Convocation Programme of the Nagaland University here Wednesday, the President stressed on the need to establish academic institutions into the global top league through a qualitative change imparted in higher educational institutions.
In this regard, he said higher education rests on the three pillars of quality, affordability and accessibility yet the problem of quantity and quality persist, and called upon the central universities to take a lead for transformation.
Pointing out that education is a powerful tool for social thinking and transformation, Pranab lamented that the recent increase in cases of assault on women and children has “shaken the collective conscience” of India.
He urged the gathering to introspect at the erosion of values and to devise effective measures for safety and security of women and children.
He said “our universities and academic institutions must take the lead to meet the moral challenges.”
The president also described Nagaland as an important state in India which has exhibited a “very good example of unity in diversity” besides making substantial progress in human development, literacy and infant mortality, which he said, were better than the national average.
He also noted that the indigenous art forms, culture and tradition were a matter of immense pride including the rich natural resources and industrious people.
Congratulating all the students who got their degrees, President reminded them, “Please remember that learning is a never ending process.
At every stage of life, there will be opportunities to learn. Keep an open mind and equip yourself to face the challenges of life with poise, sincerity and courage.”
He also encouraged the teachers to posses the latest information and knowledge in order to give the students the best education.
On the occasion, around 365 students received their certificates and gold medals while over twenty thousand were conferred their degree.
77 students received gold medals while 36 received Ph.D certificates. The President also awarded Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) – Honoris Causa to Dr. S.C. Jamir, Governor of Odisha and Pof. Mrinal Miri.
Midway while the President was delivering the convocation address, a power failure made Pranab halt, leaving the hall dark till power was restored.
Other dignitaries who attended the convocation include- Nagaland Governor and Chief Rector (NU) Dr. Ashwani Kumar and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, cabinet colleagues and others.
Registrar (NU), Prof. T Lanusosang declared the Convocation open, while the welcome address was delivered by Chancellor (NU), Prof. D.N Buragohain who also chaired the Convocation. The detailed NU report was read out by the Vice-Chancellor (NU), Prof. B K Konwar.
Search, spread, sense & celebrate innovations
Emphasizing that innovation was the key to progress and prosperity, President Pranab Mukherjee on called upon the students and faculty and NU to “search, spread, sense and celebrate innovations in the region”.
Earlier, after inaugurating the innovation exhibition organized by NU, Mukherjee said: “The process of innovation converts knowledge into social good and economic wealth.
It breeds a culture of deep thought and brings in poise, balance and discernment in behaviour. It encourages the engagement of young talent with the society to improve the quality of life.”
“Let this be the beginning of a festival of innovations in our country,” he added. He urged the university to strengthen this linkage and extend it to various institutes of science and technology in the region.
Rio seeks early approval of pending proposals
DIMAPUR, MAY 15 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, in an aide-mémoire to the President of India Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday, has urged the President for early approval of several pending proposals of Nagaland lying with the union government.
The pending proposals included Medical College in Kohima; Veterinary College; up-gradation of School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), under Nagaland University to a full-fledged University of Hill Agriculture and Technology; revival of Tuli paper Mill and construction of Green Field Airport at Ciethu near Kohima.
Pointing out that Nagaland was about to celebrate its golden jubilee w.e.f. December 1, 2013, chief minister said Nagaland, in spite of being the oldest state in northeast, next only to Assam, had no national institution/engineering college/technical institutes till now.
Asserting students from Nagaland go out to mainland India and other northeast states in pursuit of higher education and jobs, but no one came to Nagaland for education or job, Rio said “this is not conducive to developing the sense of national integration.”
Hence, the chief minister urged the president to ensure that the above pending proposals were approved early.
Expedite peace process: Stating that “Indo-Naga political issue”, which was more than six decades old, remained unresolved even today, Nagaland chief minister requested the centre to expedite the peace process and bring lasting peace to Nagaland.
He said Naga people desrived for permanent peace through an honourable political settlement that was acceptable to the people.
“Such a political solution will pave the way for development and progress and allow the younger generation to contribute in a greater manner towards the nation building while strengthening India’s democratic foundations in this party of the country,” Rio said.
Organisations write to Pranab
Nagaland GBs Federation (NGBF) and Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) have separately urged the president to look into the matter concerning development of roads in Nagaland.
According to NGBF president L.Shalem Konyak, the federation, through a representation, urged the president to look into the improvement of national highways in the state and to fulfil the proposal to construct foothill road. NGBF also sought president’s intervention for expediting the long pending Naga political issue.
In another representation, NCSU sought President’s intervention with regard to abrupt stoppage of construction of two-lane roads under SARDP projects Phase-I by Maytas & Gayathri (JV).
NCSU pointed out that due to uncompleted work; the roads have become dangerous and unsafe for the general public.
It therefore requested the president to intervene and pressurize the matter to the responsible ministry for immediate communication with the Maytas & Gayathri to resume the unaccomplished project.
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