SHILLONG, NOV 19: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma reiterated the government’s firm commitment to strengthening the education sector, stating that the greatest investment any society can make is in human capital, and that the development of roads and buildings holds little meaning unless people are equally developed.
He was addressing at the inaugural function of the Ramakrishna Mission College, Sohra, marking the establishment of the first Ramakrishna Mission college in the North-East.
The college will commence with Arts and Science streams and aims to deliver accessible, affordable and value-based higher education to the youth of Sohra and neighbouring rural districts.
The chief minister highlighted the structural complexities that have accumulated over decades in Meghalaya’s education system, noting that although the state spends 15% of its annual budget-amounting to Rs 3,600 crore-on education.
He informed the gathering that the government has begun the process of rationalising schools and is working on creating a dedicated structure to support ad-hoc and SSA teachers, which will bring greater consistency and stability.
Urging teachers, managing committees and all stakeholders to keep the student at the centre of every decision, he stressed that the future of education in Meghalaya depends on collective commitment to doing what is truly best for the child.
The Chief Minister also assured the Ramakrishna Mission of full government support, announcing that electricity connections will be provided to all schools -government, private, deficit and ad-hoc, on a mission mode, and that road connectivity challenges faced by institutions will be addressed in a phased manner.
He encouraged students to uphold values of hard work, gratitude, discipline and purpose, describing these as essential foundations of responsible citizenship and as qualities central to the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and exemplified in Ramakrishna Mission institutions.
Swami Achyuteshananda, delivering his address, described the inauguration as a historic moment for the North-East, noting that history remembers the first, and that the first Ramakrishna Mission college in the region has been inaugurated under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
He commended the Meghalaya Government for its commitment to education in rural and hilly regions and expressed confidence that the new college will significantly reduce educational distance, economic burdens and dropout rates. He added that the college will not only impart academic knowledge but will also nurture responsible citizens grounded in values of service, strength and simplicity.
Referring to Swami Vivekananda’s ideal of “man-making education,” he affirmed that the Mission intends to expand its contributions to Meghalaya through academic collaborations, teacher capacity-building initiatives and programmes aligned with the aspirations of the region’s youth.
Following the speeches, students from various Ramakrishna Mission educational institutions across Meghalaya presented an impressive Play Day Programme.
The display included coordinated physical drills, yoga demonstrations, rhythmic exercises and traditional formations that highlighted discipline, teamwork and physical fitness.
The performances vividly reflected the Mission’s emphasis on holistic education and character-building, bringing energy and vibrancy to the inaugural event.
The inauguration included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and cultural presentations.
The event, attended by senior monks of the Ramakrishna Mission including Swami Achyuteshananda, Trustee of Ramakrishna Math & Mission, Belur Math, Swami Anuragananda, public representatives – Balajied Kupar Synrem, MLA (Shella), Gavin Miguel Mylliem, MLA (Sohra) and members of the community, marks a significant milestone in the expansion of higher education in the hill regions of the state.
By Our Reporter
