SHILLONG: Governor Ganga Prasad has called for concerted effort to uplift the condition of the poor and provide quality education in rural areas in the state.
Addressing a gathering at the felicitation of two players at Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club on Friday, the governor said the poor, especially those in the rural areas, should be given access to quality education. “Gyan ke prakash sabko milna chahiye (the light of education should reach everyone),” he said.
Referring to Pynshai Mawrie and Sanbor Lyngdoh Nongpiur, both of whom bagged gold in Jeet Kune Do in the international arena, Prasad said it was a matter of pride for the state and will make the country proud as well.
Mawrie won gold in the International Jeet Kune Do Championships in Uzbekistan earlier this month and Nongpiur bagged gold medal at the Asia Gold Cup Jeet Kune Do championship at Pattaya Sports Complex, Thailand, on November 25-27.
Nongpiur’s parents received the felicitation on his behalf as he would reach Meghalaya on December 3. He is a student of Class XI at BSF Higher Secondary School in Umpling.
The governor also handed over cheques and ration cards by the Ardhendu Chaudhuri Charitable Trust to 500 families.
Meanwhile, managing trustee of the Trust Manas Chaudhuri said, “The Trust extends service to the poor and needy and to stand by those who often feel neglected by authorities.”
He added that the Trust has helped 3,000 students with their annual tuition fees, extended financial assistance to bereaved families and stood beside people who needed medical help. The Trusts provides school buses and supplies water to people at nominal rates.
It will also help two schools — Laban Assamese HS School and Rilbong LP School — which need computer sets.
Speaking about the achievements of Mawrie and Nongpiur, he said, “It is a matter of pride as not many made a mark at the international level. These boys need to be encouraged.”
Cheques were given away to various organisations. The Trust also handed over BPL cards to enable 500 struggling families with ration commodities for a year.
“We are happy to work for the poor as they have given us the opportunity to work for them,” said Chaudhuri.
Quoting Swami Vivekanand, Chaudhuri said serving others is the essence of life but bemoaned that in today’s world there is a rat race for making money.
