First batch of students fondly remember the formative years
SHILLONG: The first batch of students from NEHU including the former Chief Secretary recalled their formative years at the formation of NEHU Alumni Association.
The first chapter of NEHU Alumni Association was scripted on September 19 after over four decades of the formation of the North Eastern Hill University in 1973.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, Executive Committee Member, NEHUAA, Ian A Khongmen said the old and the young had come together to form the association.
Alumni from diverse fields and services who had passed out from NEHU, attended the first general body meeting at the Multi Use Convention Hall, Umshing Campus, and ratified and adopted the draft constitution after deliberating on its articles, chapter and verse.
The President of the NEHUAA, adhoc executive committee, Prof. Don Syiem, in his welcome address listed out the mission, aims and objectives of the association. While stressing on the need to create the bonds of friendship and strengthening the network of the past pupils, Dr. Syiem gave a powerpoint presentation of messages of NEHU alumni from abroad to drive home the point.
He conveyed to the alumni an impromptu take from JFK’s famous quote, “Ask not what the University can do for you but what you can do for the University,” which in a sense sums up the purpose of the association.
Keeping with the tradition of remembering how it all started, the first batch of NEHU students were felicitated at the gathering.
W.M.S. Pariat, former Chief Secretary, alumni of NEHU who belonged to the first batch of the English Deparment, recounted the humble origin of the University much to the delight of the younger audience.
He narrated his experience during the early days of NEHU when there were only two Departments– English and Mathematics– and the University functioned from a rented house at Lachaumiere before it was shifted to the Mayurbhanj campus at Nongthymmai, Shillong.
More interestingly, the admission forms for the first batch were handed out from a house belonging to the Tham family in Jaiaw by none other than the erudite Professor Nurul Hassan.
He spoke of the commitment and dedication of the founders of the institution and remembered how they as students often had afternoon tea at the invitation of the first Vice Chancellor, Prof Devanasan, at his residence.
He congratulated all those responsible for initiating the association and wished NEHUAA success in the years to come.
The Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. B. Myrboh, in his speech highlighted the role of alumni in established universities and their manifold contributions to its alma mater.
The elections to the Executive Committee conducted by Prof. A.K. Nongkynrih were smooth and categorical. The meeting registered nearly 400 enrolments and more than hundred members present gave their assent to the new President, Vice Presidents, Secretary and executive members.
The following were chosen as office bearers of the Executive Committee, NEHUAA: President – Prof. Don K. Syiem, vice-presidents Prof.(Mrs.) S.M.Sungoh and Prof. Vanlalruata Rengsi, general secretary Dr. S.R.Joshi, Jt. Secretary, Dr. A.Sinha and Finance Secretary, Dr. B.Dkhar.
The executive committee members are Prof. Amena Passah, Prof. D.Paul, Prof. Uma Shamkar, Ian Khongmen, Dr. K.K.Chauhan, Vishu Singhania and Prof S.Khatri.
