MU convocation held with promises and optimism
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 11 2010: The Government of India has been paying special attention to the development of the Northeast region, Union Minister of DoNER and Mines BK Handique has stated.

Addressing the 11th convocation of Manipur University at its centenary hall, Canchipur here today as chief guest, the Union Minister said that the Government of India has been giving maximum effort to have uniformity on the development front of the country.

Accordingly, New Delhi has paid special attention to the development of the Northeast region.

For the development of the region, DONER Ministry was set up in 2004 and the Shukla Commission has identified the developmental backlogs, he said, adding that for increasing the financial resources of the region necessary fund has also been allocated under the NLCPR.

BK Handique congratulates a student during the occasion

Moreover, in 2008, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh unveiled the Northeast Vision 2020 document and the flagship programmes of the country are also being implemented in the region, the Union Minister said.

Inspite of all these, there are still untapped resources and the region needs to be tapped and developed in a sustainable way, he noted, adding that all these depend on the youth of the region.

Congratulating the students of the University who have been awarded degrees, the Union Minister pointed out that the responsibility of the students in the society increases along with increase in their education attainment.

Expressing that Manipur University is becoming a premier University in the country, the DoNER minister stressed the importance of providing needed infrastructures for higher studies.

The DoNER Minister said that Manipur is a State not only rich in culture but also the birthplace of many great men.

He also advised the students to learn lessons from the great leaders of the country so as to eradicate social ailments.

Maintaining that change is inevitable in society and that all must realise the basic needs, the Union Minister observed that with the knowledge and technology available today, a vision for sustainable way of life to protect the biodivesity and ecosystem which promote socio-economic benefits of the people is needed.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Chancellor of the University Prof PN Srivastava also graced the impressive function as guest of honour and functional president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh assured that the State Government would ensure every possible assistance for the development of the University in addition to the attention being paid by the Centre.

An Indira Gandhi National Tribal University and an NIT would also be coming up soon in Manipur, the Chief Minister added.

Encouraging the youths to strive for better and safer future of the society, the Chief Minister said they should dream of a better and developed future.

In his presidential address, Prof Srivastava expressed happiness over the projects and the development works of the University.

Observing that overall education standard in the country is still low, he, however, hoped that the situation would be improved since the Prime Minister has increased the allocation of fund to development of education by 6 percent from the GDP.

It is here an effective policy would be required and there is also the need for implementing universalisation of primary education at the earliest possible, he added.

Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Ch Amuba said that efforts are being made for further expansion and development of the University which is generating knowledge in 27 departments under three different schools and 73 affiliated colleges.

In addition to the existing Departments, steps have been taken up for opening Sociology, Environmental Sciences and Foreign Language Department.

Functioning of the Foreign Language Department would be started with Japanese and Korean, he informed the packed centenary hall of the University.

Plans are also afoot for construction of cultural and sports complex, outdoor stadium, swimming pool and another indoor stadium, the VC informed the gathering.

The convocation programme was also attended by members of Lok Sabha from Manipur, Dr T Meinya and Thangso Baite and Raijya Sabha MP and veteran Congressman Rishang Keishing.