Nagaland governor P.B. Acharya emphasised that any university or educational institution should be a developing centre, equipped with skills and not only as a knowledge centre alone.
He said this while speaking at the presentation of Governor’s Award to the toppers and felicitation of rank holders of HSLC and HSSLC 2015 function held at Durbar hall Raj Bhavan Kohima on Friday.
Congratulating the toppers and rank holders, the Governor reminded them that academic excellence alone was not success but should also contribute for the benefit of society and the nation.
He pointed out that 68% of India’s population were youths and described them as an asset and a boon for the nation and encouraged them to contribute to society and the nation.
Governor challenged the toppers to even work harder and march ahead with their knowledge and added that knowledge with skills was very important as possessing degree alone was not enough.
Also speaking on the occasion, Minister of School Education, Yitachu said it was a matter of deep concern that the number of drop-outs and failed students, in a small state like Nagaland totalled 19,528 students (HSLC 11,757 and HSSLC 7771). Yitachu opined that if the figure was taken as an average, then in a few years, the number could even cross a lakh and in another 20 to 30 years, the situation would have serious impact on the state.
Yitachu said there was need to find out whether the fault lay with the department, teachers or students. He urged upon all involved to put their heads together to march ahead towards a brighter future.
Congratulating the toppers, the minister said they should consider it as a privilege to shake hands with the Governor, who is head of the state on their achievement and be inspired to achieve even greater heights in future.
Commissioner & Secretary Higher & Technical Education, SCERT and School Education, F.P. Solo in his address lamented that many students don’t strive their best. He advised the students to cultivate work culture and to look beyond government job and go outside even to foreign land also.
Earlier, invocation prayer was pronounced by Moa Walling principal Christain Hr. Se. school Dimapur, welcome address by chairman NBSE, Asano Sekhose. Governor presented the Governor’s Award and Certificates to ten toppers each in arts, commerce and science for HSSLC (32 students) and top 20 of HSLC (51 students).
The Awards was initiated in 2010 by the then Governor K. Shankaranarayanan.