By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 26: The Meghalaya government wants to make education more accessible to children, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang said on Saturday.
Speaking at a programme, where meritorious students of South Shillong constituency were felicitated, he said the state government is committed to creating more opportunities so the youth can thrive. He said efforts are on to make education more accessible.
Exhorting students to excel, and be responsible and compassionate, Wahlang said education is the most powerful tool to change the world.
Altogether 256 meritorious students were felicitated at the 21st Meritorious Award for Students 2024, organised by the Raid Laban Sports, Social and Cultural Organisation.
The objective of the initiative, led by local MLA Sanbor Shullai, is to encourage students from all backgrounds under his constituency.
Laptop sets were distributed to the toppers of 28 categories, including students from below the poverty line and differently-abled sections residing within the constituency.
A message on the drug menace was also spread through the programme. Shullai told reporters they want youth and families to create awareness on the drug issue.
“We need to work together. The government alone cannot fight it. We need the support of each and every individual,” said Shullai.
Asked how grave the issue is in his constituency, he said the situation is quite serious and hence, they organised an awareness programme at the cantonment area. He said they have plans to organise more such programmes in the coming days.
He said the police, government machineries, church committees and NGOs are working together. “We are trying to identify the drug addicts. We’ve also sent some to rehab centres,” Shullai said.
Approximately Rs 30 lakh was spent for the awards. The money was generated from the funds of the SUWP scheme besides sponsors. Well-wishers and organisations also contributed.
The chief secretary handed a laptop set to the family of Nathaniel Sohtun, a Class 11 student of JNV School in Mawphlang who died due to electrocution while taking bath in the school hostel on July 28.
Sohtun was a resident of Laban and he had joined the school recently after passing this year’s Secondary School Leaving Certificate examination with first division.