TURA, June 3: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday suggested the students to develop values, apart from their achievements in academics, to become productive citizens in future.
Addressing a gathering in Tura, Conrad also congratulated the successful toppers of the region in the recently conducted board examinations by the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE).
He maintained that apart from achieving in academics, discipline, hard work and dedication help build up a person’s character.
Referring to the state’s agricultural sector, Conrad, while informing that about 80 per cent of the state’s population is farmers, said, “We need to work in collaboration with farmers in order to bring a change in economic development of the region.”
He also said that focus should be laid on agriculture, food processing, tourism sector, IT sector, etc., to generate employment opportunities for the youths of the state.
The chief minister also informed that along with the Agriculture Response Vehicles, the government has also provided solar-powered cold storage facilities to enable the producers to preserve the unsold agricultural products.
Reiterating the importance of various government schemes, he said that the government executes the plan and policies, and implements them.
“But the success of these programmes largely depends on the support and cooperation of the people and society as a whole,” Conrad said, urging everyone to work together, and protect and preserve the environment.
On the occasion,
Conrad also distributed Payment for Eco-System Services (PES) cheques in the presence of Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh.
Some other highlights of the programme include flagging-off of PRIME Agriculture Response Vehicles, felicitation of HSSLC and SSLC Toppers, plantation of saplings initiative under District Plantation Mission, West Garo Hills, free saplings distribution by Social Forestry Division, West Garo Hills, launch of MegLife Plantation Drive, Seed Ball Initiative (distribution of seed balls and demonstration), and KYAN Kit distribution.
Meanwhile, Ampareen said change in the governance and planning process can be seen where the government has empowered the people, who are engaged with responsibilities towards greater development of the state.
She also shared her observation that educated people are also helping their parents in agricultural activities, which can address unemployment to some extent.
The minister also urged the gathering to make use of the available lands that can produce healthy organic products for the people of the region.
Others who were part of the programme include West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Jagdish Chelani; Director and Co-Chairman, Centre of Excellence, MBMA, Dr Subhash Ashutosh; Secretary, Dondime Multi Purpose Society Ltd, Balachanda BR Marak; district officers; PES beneficiaries; IVCS members; students, et al.
