The fourth foundation day-cum-third graduation ceremony of Northeast Institute and Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) was held at Holy Cross Auditorium on Tuesday. Director, Higher Education, Kuholi Chishi graced the graduation ceremony as chief guest.
On the occasion, 36 students, who graduated in Masters in Social Work (MSW), 27 secured first divisions and nine secured second divisions, were felicitated. Kesoninuo Kense was adjudged the best student and awarded a citation and cash award.
In her address to students, faculty and parents the director urged the graduating students to be passionate in their work and elucidated on the three Ps; positivity, passion and perseverance. Reminding the batch of fresh post graduates in MSW that social work is a challenging field; Kuholi Chishi urged them to “be tenacious and innovative keeping in mind what is traditional.” Kuholi also spoke on the “sixth sense” that is crucial to be an effective social worker; “the ability to understand people and be compassionate.” She also advised students not to aim too high on the onset of their career but make a difference with small beginnings.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Meriema Campus, Nagaland University, professor RC Gupta who also spoke on the occasion, outlined the four pillars of social work; service, social justice, value of human life and integrity. He said that social service has a great job potential as 60 percent of the population India is young as opposed to the West and other countries which has an ageing population.
RC Gupta also gave a brief history of how social work as a course was started by the TATA group in 1936 and how it has now become a course in many universities across the country starting from the 1950s and 60s. He then urged the student to put their heart into what they do, saying, “Every one cannot do great work but do small works with great heart.” Earlier in the programme, principal of NEISSR, Fr Dr C P Anto, emphasized that the purpose of NEISSR is to train social workers to set new trends and combat the challenges and ills of the society. He referred to the 36 post graduates as “social doctors” who will heal the illness of the society in Nagaland and the Northeast. Others who spoke on the occasion include Bishop of Kohima diocese, most Rev Dr James Thoppil and director of Shalom Rehabilitation Centre, Rev Fr Chacko Karinthayil
The programme commenced with a ceremonial lighting of the lamp followed by invocation prayer by parish priest, Holy Cross church, Fr P J Thomas; vice principal of NEISSR, Fr John Latsutho Proji delivered the vote of thanks; and the programme ended with the NEISSR anthem.