GUWAHATI, Sept 5 � Principal scientist of Chandrayaan-I moon mission that discovered water molecules in Earth�s only satellite, Dr Jitendra Nath Goswami today said that even though the education scenario in the State has undergone some changes, research-oriented exercise continues to take the backseat � a trend which is hindering the society�s holistic growth.
Dr Goswami was speaking as chief guest at a function where renowned English scholar Dr Amaresh Dutta and noted tea planter Hemendra Prasad Barooah were awarded the KC Das Commerce College National Teacher Award and the KC Das Commerce College National Achiever Award respectively for the year 2010 for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields. The function was organized at the Pragjyoti-ITA Centre, Machkhowa.
The awards instituted by the KC Das Commerce College Educational and Cultural Trust carry Rs 1 lakh each, besides a citation and memento.
Stating that colleges of the State are the weak links of the education system, Dr Goswami, the director of Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, said: �Today�s education has turned into a mere product and lays little importance on making the young generation capable of thinking, analyzing and guiding the society for a holistic development.�
�The academic environment in educational institutes like Cotton College and Gauhati University where I studied, I am told, is not the same and something needs to be done to make the system vibrant and encourage innovation,� he asserted.
While dwelling on Chandrayaan-II project that has already started, he said that it would be ready for launch by 2012.
He also shared his thoughts about space business and knowledge economy.
Receiving the award, Dr Amaresh Dutta threw lights on the role of a teacher in moulding the society and vouched for a education system that would encourage students create their own thinking after acquainting themselves with the fundamentals of a subject.
�I, during my teaching career, have always looked for moments of fulfillment more than anything else, and the award that has been given to me today is a recognition of all those moments of fulfillment that I had in my classroom,� the Shakespearian scholar said.
Professor Dutta started his career in Sagar University and in the 1950s, he was identified by a panel of American experts as one of the finest teachers of English literature in the country. He joined Gauhati University in 1964 and continued to serve in GU till 1980. His scholarship received another appreciation when he joined Sahitya Akademi as chief editor of the Encyclopedia of Indian Literature.
Hemendra Prasad Barooah, in his speech, shared the experiences he had in Harvard University during his student days.
He urged the students and aspiring professionals to work hard to achieve success in any field.
�Hard work and perseverance is the key and the mantra for success,� said Barooah, whose innovative method of handling the hurdles encountered took the tea industry to new heights besides adding a human face to the inherently difficult domain.
Barooah is also regarded as an entrepreneur who keeps himself abreast of surrounding realities, explicitly expressing his concern by carving a path for regional progress.
The award function was also attended by Ramesh Chandra Choudhury, the founder of KC Das Commerce College Educational and Cultural Trust and Dr Hitesh Deka, principal, KC Das Commerce College, among others.
