TURA, May 23: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Tuesday lamented that the Garo Hills region has produced only two IAS officers in the last 50 years.
He was speaking at the farewell of the Class of 2020, the soon-to-be graduating students at Loyola College, Williamnagar.
Addressing the graduating students, Sangma urged the students to remain true to the values and principles the college stands for even as he congratulated the faculty and staff for their dedicated service.
He pointed out that a lot has been done at Loyola College to raise the standards and to set higher benchmarks for quality education in Garo Hills. In this regard, he emphasised that much more is expected from an institution like Loyola and its graduates. He stressed that the students should cross the boundary of the state and contribute towards the life of the nation in various fields.
The programme began with the academic procession led by the Students’ Council. On behalf of the college, Elbitha N Arengh MC welcomed the minister who was accompanied by his wife.
The opening invocation was made by Fr PJ James SJ.
A sapling was watered by the chief guest and his wife.
The students shared their memories through a well-crafted video.
A representative from each of the seven departments spoke movingly about their experiences in Loyola. Several of them had begun their journey at the Higher Secondary level five years ago. They gratefully recalled how the college transformed them from timid introverts to men and women of courage and confidence.
The Principal, Fr. Sunny Augustine, SJ, felicitated the graduating students and exhorted them to be continuous learners improving their knowledge and skills striving to develop their community. They were administered a pledge in which they promised to cherish and live the values that Loyola College embodies and always remain true to their Alma Mater.
The best student of each department was awarded by the minister.
The recipients are Anjuli S Marak (Commerce), Tenmarchy M Sangma, (English), Necky Westha N Sangma (Political Science), Susie Susanti C Sangma (Education), Giftsina M Sangma (History), Cheame S Momin (Economics), and Tintin M Marak (Garo).
The college gave out a memento to each graduating student.
