GUWAHATI: “Education is means of empowerment. Those who want to be truly immortalised, they need to set up educational institutions.” This was stated by Prof Ved Prakash, former Chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, while addressing thousands of students at the 5th North East Graduate Congress (NEGC) at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya.
He said that holding NEGC has been a visionary action taken by Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM as this mega event provides a platform to the college youths of all the states of North East to showcase their talents as well as get opportunity to prepare their action plan after graduation.
Prof Ved Prakash said that in over 40 years of his career he had never ever seen so many students assembling and mingling in a single platform of a university from across a vast region. He said that the name of Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM, would be remembered for his contribution to the north-eastern part of the country. The former UGC Chairman appealed to all the students to try to understand significance of institutions and believe in inclusivity.
Addressingthe students, CK Das, Member, North Eastern Council, said that students should acquire skills in order to develop the region. He also expressed that NEC would like to work with USTM in the near future.
Dilip, Tirkey, MP, Olympian and former captain of Indian Hockey team, said that there was no dearth of talent among the youth and urged them to give time for sports apart from studies.
Col. Kuldeep Singh Bhanstu, Director, Khelo India, New Delhi, said, “I am honoured to get the opportunity to speak in such a huge gathering of students coming from across the region. He urged the students to be disciplined to achieve in life.
Dr Nomal Chandra Bora, MD, GNRC Hospitals gave an encouraging talk on “Youth and Entrepreneurship”.
Dr Bora emphasized on the importance of perseverance, and the ability to work hard to become a successful entrepreneur. He gave examples of biggest business conglomerates of current times like Walmart, Domino’s, KFC and OYO Rooms to make students understand that entrepreneurship can be of any form- art, culture, manufacture, food processing etc.
The first day of NEGC 2018 has also been marked by science model competitions, various sports and cultural competitions which will continue till tomorrow.