Tura, Sep 8: One of the oldest institutions for higher education in Garo Hills, Durama College, today celebrated its 30th foundation day in a grand function that included the Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly, Thomas A Sangma as well as education minister, Rakkam A Sangma.
Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, who is currently in New Delhi to attend the G-20 summit, remained the chief guest for the program in absentia. Academicians, from across the district as well as a huge group of students were also part of the program, along with members of the Achik Literary Society.
The day began with the principal, K N Sangma, welcoming all dignitaries before giving a short speech on the humble beginnings of the college which now has a permanent compound at the Megongre locality in Rongkhon, about 3 kms from the town of Tura.
“It has been an eventful journey so far but we need to continue keeping the aspirations of the founding fathers of the college to ensure education is accessible to those in dire need. We can make a modest claim that in these 30 years, alumni from this college have made their marks in various fields,” said the principal.
The college is a grant in aid with 75% of the salary expenses being borne by the government and the rest being managed by the institution.
“We have 16 sanctioned faculty with the rest 14 being those of college posts. Additional faculty positions are the need of the hour as is mandated under NEP 2020. We appeal to the CM, education minister and the Speaker to declare us as a ‘People’s College’ as this will ease the financial burden on our functioning.
While Durama is a single stream college, the principal stated that they were looking at other streams to be added to the curriculum as per NEP.
Recalling the history of the college, faculty member Rupabel A Sangma spoke of the humble beginnings of the college which used to operate from the premises of the Government Girls College and the Garo Graduate Union.
“Despite only working early in the morning there were always huge numbers that joined us. We remember those founding fathers who took their time and effort to pave the way for the college to make it what it is today. We still remember the then DC, Jatirbinder Singh, who used to come every morning to take morning classes. He was joined by R Bhattacharya and LD Shira both of who were principals of Tura Government College,” said Rupabel.
She further mentioned the contributions of Giribala G Momin, IK Sangma, Fraidina K Marak.
The first pre university batch passed in the year 1995 with the first students graduating in 1997. The college shifted to its current campus in 2009 after land was donated by the Chambugong mahari in Megongre. The total land donated was 72 bighas and 1 katta.
A submission was made by English faculty member, C Bose to the Speaker and Education minister, seeking the people’s college tag for the college.
Speaking to those gathered for the program, Rakkam thanked the college faculty for making him a part of the celebration. He added that the matter of providing ‘People’s College’ tag was being taken up seriously and had been a matter of discussion between them and the CM.
“We have discussed this matter and it will be taken up seriously. The college has done a wonderful job till now and we hope this continues. There are many changes to be made to conform to NEP and that is being focused on,” said Rakkam.
He further urged students to look at all avenues of employment after graduating and not to rely on government jobs solely.
“There are about 16000 students graduating each year and it is impossible for the government to create as many jobs. Every avenue needs to be looked into. We will be there to support,” he added.
Rakkam was the guest of honour for the program with Thomas Sangma, who is also the local legislator, as a special guest.
Apologizing on behalf of the CM for his forced absence, Thomas stated that the matter of ‘People’s College was indeed being looked into for Durama.
“If they were not serious about it, I would have picked it and followed up as it involves people from my constituency. I am sure something good will come off it,” said Thomas.
He too recalled the contributions of the founding fathers of the college and commended the work being done in ensuring quality education for all sections of Garo Hills.