By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 2: The Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Centre (SNGCC) awarded three personalities on its 20th annual celebration and the 169th birth anniversary of philosopher, spiritual leader and social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru at a programme held at the Oneness Center, Jingkieng on Saturday.
Project Manager, Foundation for Ecological Security, Meghalaya, Sutanuka Deb received Sree Narayana Guru Social Work/Service Award for her contribution to dedicated outreach to the rural communities attending to public health, disaster management, training and preparing grassroots workers and working in the areas of women and children empowerment.
While the Sree Narayana Guru Education/Literary Award was conferred upon Principal, Gorkha Secondary School, Upper Shillong, Ujjal Kumar Rai for his design and implementation of a novel unit of study focused on teaching therapeutic reasoning in the context of ever-changing education scenarios to a multicultural community of students from varied economic backgrounds.
The Sree Narayana Guru Entrepreneurship Award was given to Founder & Proprietor, Pine Hills Creamery Melvin Manners for his cheese making business focusing on artisanal and natural cheese that he began in 2017. He initiated the first creamery in Meghalaya is currently focusing on scaling up his business in terms of production and market reach, as well as providing employment to the local youth.
The occasion was graced by vice-chancellor, National Law University Indrajit Dube, who recalled the advaita vedanta (non-dual wisdom) that promotes the ideals of Sree Narayana Guru. He recalled the principle of ahimsa (non-harming others) and the universal and unitive outlook on life as expressed in Guru Narayana’s motto ‘One Caste’ (or race), ‘One Religion’ (or faith), ‘One God’ (or supreme goal).
He further added that SNGCC is doing a good job at preserving the guru’s wisdom in its various forms.
SNGCC president, ES Mawlong addressed the gathering while the students of Sengbhalang Secondary School, Laitlum hosted a cultural programme.