North East Christian University hosts national webinar
Dimapur, April 24 (MExN): One of the missions of North East Christian University (NECU) is “to promote and build on the tradition and culture of Northeast India,” Professor Darlando Khathing, Vice Chancellor of NECU stated while delivering the inaugural address for the national webinar on ‘Covid-19: Oppor-tunities and Challenges’ on April 21.
Towards this end the webinar was aimed at understanding the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic while also exploring possible opportunities from the lessons learnt through the pandemic, a press release from the University stated.
Shriram Savrikar, former Advisor to Government of India, Department of AYUSH while delivering his speech emphasised on the need to strengthen AYUSH health care system, education system and MSME and express concern over the non-utilisation of funds by the North Eastern states.
Dr B R Jagashetty, Drug Controller of Karnataka while urging Universities in Northeast to create awareness about COVID-19 also stressed on the need to impart skills and make students more employable.
Dr Yogesh Srivastav, Director, PHD Chamber of commerce, National Apex Chamber emphasised on the potential of agri and food processing culture from the NE states.
Bina Jain, former President of All India Women’s Congress, expressed concern and the need for increased healthcare facilities in NE India.
The event was also addressed by professors from Assam University and Mizoram University.
Dr Nikhil Bhusan Dey, Professor Emeritus, Assam University who pointed out that the major hurdle of the region during the pandemic was the tussle between health and economy. He emphasised on the need for more and better education infrastructure within the region.
Dr Samuel Lalmuanawma, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Mizoram University spoke on the need for improved IT sector in NE India. This, he argued was felt even more during the pandemic. He also expressed concern over the lack of registration for MSME industries in the region. The Northeast as a region seemed to have quite a different trajectory as compared to other parts of the country.
The low death rate in the region to Dr Yarso Awungshi, Assistant Professor of Commerce, Assam University, Silchar might have been contributed by the food culture and consumption of organic food.
The webinar was facilitated by Bejon Misra, Professor (R&) NECU and International Consumer Policy Expert in his concluding remark reiterated on the need “to sustain traditional systems and how AYUSH can play a role; to link education with employment and to undertake various researches on innovative products made out of natural resources”.
