Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, APRIL 16
The Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya on Thursday stated that the “most important mantra” for the people to march forward is – “education, education and education.” Speaking at the inaugural of Rajeshwari Karuna School at Tuli, Mokokchung, the governor said that the ultimate purpose of education was not only self-empowerment but of the family and society as well. “And if the school administration is not clear about the ultimate goal of education, then there is something wrong.”
“Our duty, as nationalist-minded, educated citizens, is to strengthen the people in the lowest layer of our society,” he said, while regretting that in reality the reverse is true instead.
In truth, the governor said, the educated class has repeatedly exploited their own people. He cited case of black money stashed away in foreign banks. “Those people with higher education have instead become thugs and I say this with pain in my heart.”
In the context of Nagaland, Acharya referred to newspaper reports stating that the state’s education department has 68% proxy teachers. “Who is responsible for it? It is the educated ones, who do not want to teach in other districts or locations away from home.”
He also pointed out the disparity in wealth between the rich and the poor. Against such a scenario, he said, the need to understand the purpose of education as a vehicle towards collective empowerment is all the more pertinent.
Acharya also cited the example of the Tuli Paper mill, which he said was “a dead body sitting.” Despite the staggering amount of money consumed by the Paper mill, he pointed out, it is still in limbo today.
“Aren’t we even ashamed of it? We have to be accountable. We have question ourselves. Are we Hindus, Muslims or Christians only in name?”
The governor underscored the message that “we have to change our mindset” and do away with hypocrisy. He stated that getting an academic degree is not the end but rather the beginning.
Likewise, just because a person can converse in English does not mean that the person is educated or, in the words of the governor, “a great man.” It is the content of his words and not the language itself that qualifies a person as educated, he said.
“Language is our first identity. Yes, we must learn English but it doesn’t mean that we should kick out our mother tongue,” the governor reasoned.
Taking note of the newly built residential school, the governor said, “Having a big building, an English-medium residential school is ok, ok, ok. But you have to understand that you are to produce true Aos, Nagas and Indians.”
The institution, Rajeshwari Karuna School, located at Wameken valley at 8th mile, Tuli is a project of Community Educational Center Society (CECS) and funded by The Hans Foundation.
The school will function under the stewardship of CECS Director, Subonenba Longkumer. The chief executive officer of The Hans Foundation, Lieut Gen (Rtd) MS Metha and editor of Ao vernacular Tir Yimyi, K Temjen Jamir were among others who spoke on the occasion.
