MANGALDAI, Oct 31 - The Governor of Assam, PB Acharya has asked for value addition to the academic atmosphere of all the government educational institutions of the State with voluntary services from locally-formed resourceful committees comprising retired teachers , army and government officials etc.
Expressing concern over the existing conventional academic curriculum which lags behind the definite approach of employment, the Governor stressed the need for skill-based curriculum. He said, � In a conventional degree course, the sixth semester must be a skill semester.� He further regretted that our education system has been able to create rich and empowered people, but not people with social commitment.
On the other hand, being briefed by the media persons about the historic peasants� uprising at Pothorughat on January 28, 1894 where 140 peasants from both the Hindus and the Muslims were brutally shot dead by the British rulers, the Governor readily expressed his willingness to visit Pothorughat shortly. Earlier, after his arrival here along with his wife Kavita Acharya from Tezpur University at noon, he had discussions with representatives and office bearers of various non government public organisations, students� organisations including AASU, AAMSU, ABSU, AAKRSU, ABVP, NSUI, Asam Sahitya Sabha, Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Senior Citizens� Association, Chambers of Commerce etc., and the principals of all the colleges of the district in two separate sessions and tried to know their major grievances.
Prior to this meeting, he interacted with the heads of all the government departments and reviewed the progress of various Centrally-sponsored welfare schemes. Significantly, while reviewing the status of the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, the Governor reportedly took serious note of the unauthorised absence of the Conservator of Forests, SK Daila, who has been functioning as the Divisional Forest Officer of Mangaldai Wildlife Division since the last seven years at a stretch, violating all government rules.
Meanwhile AASU, Darrang district unit and Mangaldai Chambers of Commerce submitted two separate memorandums with a few demands which included diversion of the NH 15 from the township, necessary land allotment for early construction of Polytechnic institution, Mangaldai, connecting the district with railway line, improving the dismal power supply condition, adequate supply of domestic LPG cylinders among others.
Our Tezpur Correspondent adds: Stressing on the all- round development of the nation, including the development of its culture, heritage and education, the Chancellor of Tezpur University as well as the Governor of the State PB Acharya on Thursday said that the Indian universities should give priority on producing skilled persons, instead of creating Phds, BAs, BScs or master degree holders.
The Governor who was speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony of the 8th edition of the annual technical festival of Tezpur University, �Tech X� on Thursday evening at the Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha auditorium, further said that employability is the major need of the time which is to be executed by academic institutions like the Tezpur University. �Despite having enough potential and unimaginable talent, our citizens cannot produce the minimum needs of our day -to-day life. This state has to be improved and this responsibility lies on the universities,� he said adding that India has not thrived for its university knowledge, but for it�s inherited knowledge. He also urged the people associated with the universities to make them a centre for knowledge, and not only a place of education. Earlier, he donated furniture to the needy students of nearby Noorbari TE.
The VC of Nagaland University DN Rajkhowa, VC, Dibrugarh University, Alok Buragohain, Tezpur University VC, Prof Dr Mihir Kanti Chowdhury among others were present on the occasion.
Our Nagaon Correspondent adds: The Nagaon unit of the Senior Citizens� Association, submitted a memorandum to Governor PB Acharya on October 29. The association observed that the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is not implemented here. The association appeal to the Governor to take initiative to establish geriatric wards in Government hospitals as well as to ensure ICU facilities. The association also appealed for establishing old age homes as per the provisions of the said act.
The Governor assured the association�s representatives to look into the matter. The Governor came from Morigaon and stayed overnight here. On Thursday, he visited the Central and special jails to take stock of the condition of the inmates and the problems of the staff.
He also discussed about the progress of implementation of development schemes with DC Monalisa Goswami along with other officials and the law-and-order situation with SP Arabinda Kalita. Representatives of student organisations including AASU, AAMSU, AVBP also met him.