TURA:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma graced the 19th Foundation Day cum annual college week celebrations of College of Community Science, Central Agricultural University, Sangsanggre held at Tura District Auditorium, on September 24.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, the chief minister congratulated the faculty and the students and recalled the history of the college adding that PA Sangma, former Lok Sabha Speaker, was instrumental in bringing this college to Tura.
He added that the college can add lot of value not just for students but also for the community as a whole. He also expressed his gratefulness to the past faculty and students for their valuable contribution towards the progress of the college.
The chief minister said it is not just education that institutions contribute to the society, but research and innovation which is the core part of any institution where different stakeholders work together towards success.
Further, he also advised that after research and innovation, the products made in the college need to be scale up in terms of commercialised and manufactured so that it reaches the public, which will bring entrepreneurs and business to the picture for collaboration.
The college plays a vital role in connecting to the grassroot level in connecting local products and villages which can lead to economic revolution, he said.
Mentioning about the increase in the Self Help Groups, he said that there was only 4000 SHGs but now it has increased to 42,000 in the region, adding that the government is ensuring women are also involved in economic activities of the region.
Further, in order to go beyond producing graduates from the institution and create maximum impact in peoples’ life, especially in the grassroot level, the chief minister assured financial support and gave suggestion to start pilot projects with entrepreneurs and students at the initial stage.
Guest of honour Agatha Sangma, Member of Parliament, said that the College of Home Science as formerly called, no longer caters to the sciences related to running a successful household but the technology and the faculties which includes not just women but men have developed are now revolutionising in the field of food processing, apparel designing and agronomics to name a few. She further drew her admiration to the motto of the college which says “Do Not Be a Job Seeker but Strife to be a Job Provider”, adding that the subjects these young girls study are specially curated to make sure that they start their own venture.
While presenting a brief overview of achievements made by the college, Dr. Jyoti V Vastrad, Dean, CCS, CAU, Tura informed that the College of Community Science had considered PA Sangma as the founder and mentor of the college. Further, she also presented a detailed report of the college and their achievements through these years and appraised the chief minister to facilitate the approach road and a bridge towards the college campus.
During the function, the Tura MP distributed prizes to the best house, best performer of the annual college week and also distributed certificates to students who had recently attended training course in textiles in Thailand.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe, Professor Namita Singh, FSN Department CCS, CAU, Tura were among others who spoke on the occasion while other dignitaries, officials of different departments, teaching and non-teaching faculties, students of CCS, CAU, Tura attended the function.