By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Information and Technology department this year felicitated meritorious students from the State who are pursuing higher studies outside Meghalaya, besides the students who are continuing their studies in the State.
“If they get the same percentage of marks as the students from the State they would also be felicitated. We have taken this decision to motivate those students who are studying outside the State,” Commissioner and Secretary of Information and Technology DP Wahlang informed on Sunday.
To begin with, the department felicitated Aneesh Chaudhuri of Assam Valley School, Assam, who is currently pursuing higher studies in the same school, at a function at the Soso Tham Auditorium on Saturday.
Among other awardees included many students who hailed from the far flung areas of the State.
“It is quite encouraging to see that many students from rural areas are among the top achievers,” Wahlang said.
It may be mentioned that a total of 126 students who topped in the various Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations of different boards held this year were rewarded with laptops.
Fernando Lawai, a blind student of the Jyoti Sroat School, who had secured 62 per cent marks in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination 2011, was among those who were presented laptops.
The award ceremony, labelled as the Meghalaya IT Awards for Meritorious Students 2011, was graced by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, IT Minister AL Hek and others.
This was the fifth year when the department rewarded meritorious students with laptops.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sangma exhorted students to strive hard to achieve their dreams.
“Your achievement is not confined to you alone. Even those who are around you will get encouraged by your success,” the Chief Minister said.