Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new administrative and academic blocks of Wakching New Model College, Mon via remote digitally from Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre, Srinagar on Sunday.
The digital launching programme was held at Mon deputy commissioner office’s conference hall in the presence of Higher Education & Technical Education minister Temjen Imna Along and Wakching NPF legislator Y.M. Yollow Konyak.
Speaking at the program, Imna Along said even though Nagaland did not possess the financial strength to invest so greatly into the future, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has helped the state avail the new Model College. “Today at this digital launching program, our P.M spoke with 2.5 core students all over the country and travelled digitally to 70 model colleges. We witnessed a visionary leader speaking. That is New India,” stated Imna Along.
Putting forth a question whether Nagas were part of this New India, Along said “the new Nagas should be recognised by our hard work, sincerity, global attitude with traditional values. We Nagas are small spectrum in the magnitude of this country but if we are strong, no outsider can infringe upon us and our rights,” he added.
YM Yollow encouraged the educated Konyak youths to work for the upliftment of the community rather than striving for power, while citing the example of Mayangnokcha, first Ao graduate who dedicated his life for the education of the Ao community.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Higher Education & Technical Education secretary Dinesh Kumar, higher education director Dr I Anungla Aier, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) State project director Menuokuolie Kire, NDPP president and PDA chairman Chingwang Konyak, Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Awan, OSD to CM Mankhao, host of government officials, political party and civil society leaders and students and staff of Wangkhao Government College, among others.
Wakching New Model College, which offers BSc course, is the first ever educational institute in Nagaland to be funded under RUSA, MHRD.