Education a constitutional right: Justice SR Sen

SHILLONG: We Care Foundation, a trust spearheaded by doctors with a social commitment and other individuals from the city felicitated and provided financial assistance to meritorious students coming from underprivileged families from different corners of the state at Hotel Pinewood on Saturday.
Speaking as chief guest at the function Justice SR Sen lauded We Care Foundation for reaching out to the needy. He told the audience of school and college students, teachers and principals that education is a constitutional right and the judiciary is committed to uphold this right on behalf of the student community.
Justice Sen reiterated the need to shut down fake educational institutions that exploit students and their parents and whose affiliations are questionable.
“I have brought this to the notice of the Union Ministry for Human Resources Development (MHRD) since such fake educational institutions are opening across the country,” Justice Sen said. Adding that, to safeguard the future of students who have enrolled in
these fake institutions, he has also asked the State Education Department to conduct a special examination in November next.
Justice Sen exhorted the students not to be deterred by their economic backgrounds. He reminded them of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar one of the greatest social reformers of India who also came from a poor economic background but excelled in his studies. “Students should have role models like Vidyasagar and late President APJ Abdul Kalam who also came from a difficult background but never allowed that to come in the way of his studies, he said.”
He asked the students to remain humble as humility is a trait that will carry them a long way.
Hilter Khongphai, a blind student from Bethany Society and his team regaled the audience with songs.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times and M Marbaniang, Chairman MBOSE.     
Later Dr Harish Shetty renowned psychiatrist from Mumbai interacted with the students and gave them valuable advice regarding studies and lifestyle management.
The felicitation ceremony was followed by a Continuing Medical Education(CME) on gastroenterology for the doctors of Meghalaya.