Governor pledges to lift standard of education
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 10 2013:
Highlighting need for synergy between educational courses and curriculum with the issues of livelihood and employment, Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar assured to prevail upon the state Government to lay greater emphasis on vocational education and finding avenues of livelihood and employment for the upcoming generation.
Speaking as the chief guest at the presentation of the 2013 Governor's Award and RK Sanatombi Devi Award at Asha-Jina Complex, North AOC today, the Governor observed that inspite of Manipur making significant positive headway in the education sector in terms of increase in the literacy rate, efforts need to be maximised to achieve the universal goal of cent percent literacy rate.
Emphasising on the need for judicious implementation of various policies aimed at accelerating pace of educational development in Manipur, Dr Ashwani reminded all concerned that the best way of changing the people and transforming the society is through education.
Apparently referring to tumultuous incidents that often besiege Manipur, he categorically remarked that those who believe in ringing change through the use of force, violence, bullets and guns would never achieve their objective as any change brought about through such means will not be long lasting.
"History is testimony to the fact that 'those who live by the sword, die by the sword," highlighted the Governor who also reminded that sociological studies had already established that the most effective and quickest way to change and transform society is through the education of girls and women.
Quoting former United nations Secretary General Kohi Annan as saying that "to educate girls is to reduce poverty", he also maintained that educating a woman means educating the whole family.
Conveying his recent conversation with Padmashree Th Haridas Singh, who is also the Managing Committee chairman of RK Sanatombi Devi Vidyalaya, Haotal (Pangei), regarding prevailing education scenario in Manipur, Dr Ashwani pledged to urge the Government of Manipur and its the State's representatives to the Parliamentary to consider various suggestions put forth by Haridas for improving the quality of education in the State.
While congratulating recipients of awards in diverse fields including education, sports and traffic control, he exhorted those who missed out on the awards not to disheartened for further effort and sincere approach in their respective fields would certainly yield satisfactory outcomes in the near future.
As the functional president Rajya Sabha MP Dr Rishang Keishing emphasised on healthy lifestyle along with reminding that a healthy body is an embodiment of progressive thinking and positive contribution to the society.
While in individual level one needs to strive for a healthy living the society as a whole should ensure that all possible measures are adopted to expedite development in the education sector, said the former Chief Minister, who is in his early 90s and the only Parliamentarian alive among the MPs elected to the first Parliament of the country.
Observing that presentation of RK Sanatombi Devi awards in various categories would certainly encourage the citizens to strive for excellence in their respective fields, he affirmed that inclusion of the sportspersons would be helpful in motivating the youngsters to stay away from the harmful habits of drugs and substance abuse.
The Governor's Award 2013 conferred to Shrilla elangbam, a class XI (Sc) student of RK Sanatombi devi Vidyalaya, for her consistent excellence in academic and co-curricular activities for the past three years, carries cash prize of Rs 15,000 while the Rajkumari Sanatombi devi awards were conferred to a lady traffic personnel and nine others for excellence in the field of education and sports, each carrying Rs 5000 cash.
The award recipients included HSLC 2013 topper Miranda Mongbijam of Nirmalabas School; Makhapat Govt High School (Naharup) headmistress Nurjahan Beg-um; assistant teacher of 13 Assam Rifles High School (Somra/Ukhrul district) Salam Baruni Singh; fencer Wang-lembam Thoibi Devi of Kongba Ucheckon; armwrest-ler Soram Rani Devi of Ithai Wapokpi Kumbi (Bishnupur district); judoka Thoudam Kalpana Devi of Kakwa Makha Naorem Leikai; wrestler Potshangbam Bidyarani Devi of Bishnupur Bazar; cyclist Tongbram Bidyaluxmi Devi of Singjamei Waikhom Leikai; taekwondo player Leimaram Joypriya Chanu of Khurai Heigrumakhong; and Imphal East district traffic personnel Huidrom Rasheshori Devi of Yumnam Huidrom village.