By Felix Anthony
Namsai: Arunachal Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein says Catholic education has made him what he is today.
“All that I am today, I owe it to the fathers and brothers at my school,” said the former student of Don Bosco School in Guwahati, Assamon March 3.
He was speaking at the first convocation of Venerable Uktara Bethany Collegein Namsai, the first Catholic college in the eastern part of the northeastern Indian state. Mein was the chief guest at the function in the colleges that sits some 325 km northeast of Itanagar, the state capital.
The minister also hailed Catholic contribution to the education sector in the region, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. According to him, Catholic institutions render yeomen service without looking for profit and without much support from the government.
Mein recollected the difficulties he had faced to complete his education because of lack of transport facilities and good educational institutions in his neighborhood. “We had to travel by mules and boats for days to reach our college. You are so lucky to have graduated from this college. Good educational institutions have walked right into your doorsteps.” He told the graduates.
The college’s first batch of 52graduateshas performed well in the examinations conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh. They secured top ten ranks in Political Science, History, Commerce and Sociology.
Miao diocese started the college in 2014.
Bishop George Palliparampil of Miao commended the students for the outstanding result. “What you have achieved is only one part of your life’s examination. The real result will be based on what you do from here. May you make the society a better place to live,” the Salesian prelate told the graduates.
TojamMossang, university topper in Political Science, expressed her gratitude to the college, and urged her juniors to invest in hardwork for success.
The toppers were awarded with certificate of merit and cash awards sponsored by friends of Bethany Educational Trust and Chou KhoukManpoong, a former legislator who donated the land for the college.