GUWAHATI, June 27 - The 14th annual meet of GRIEF & U, a voluntary NGO of the employees of Indian Oil?s Guwahati Refinery, was held on June 26 at the Community Development Hall, Noonmati.
Set up in February 2003, GRIEF & U began as an endeavour of a few employees of the Guwahati Refinery to empower underprivileged children by providing support for their education.
Former Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay addressed the students and beneficiaries during the 14th annual meeting.
In his speech Sahay called upon the students to take up the difficulties they face as challenges and not to waver in their determination to reach their goal.
Sahay shared his own struggles as a child and the motivation that his mother gave him to always keep his academics strong.
He lauded the efforts of GRIEF & U in supporting the education of the youths in the area and the good work that they are doing despite their official responsibilities.
DK Sharma, General Manager (Engineering Services and Inspection) of Guwahati Refinery and president of GRIEF & U, chaired the meeting.
In his opening speech, Sharma enjoined the students not to lose sight of their goal under any circumstance and not to become involved in activities that are detrimental to their academic and overall growth.
A presentation on the activities of GRIEF & U and the annual financial statement was made by Mamani Basumatary, Deputy General Manager (Technical Services) of Guwahati Refinery and secretary of GRIEF & U.
During the function, onetime scholarship awards were distributed among 19 meritorious students from financially marginalised sections of the greater Noonmati area who successfully cleared the recent Class X and Class XII Board exams with distinction.
Teachers of Bhabanipur High School were also felicitated for their dedicated services in the school despite the lack of funding.
Bhabanipur High School is a non-government school established at Noonmati and has been adopted by GRIEF & U as their model school.
Students of Bhabanipur High School presented a cultural programme on the occasion.
GRIEF & U members including Probodh Das, HP Talukdar, Sita Baruah, Binita Brahma and LP Sarmah, among others, were present on the occasion.
GRIEF & U?s activities include health and hygiene and other welfare projects aimed at helping the weaker and downtrodden sections of society, as well as contributing to the cause of environment protection.
The organisation has 500 members covering employees of Guwahati Refinery, GSPL and Indian Oil Assam Oil Division (AOD), along with outstation members from other Indian Oil units and a few select members from outside the IOC family as well.
