Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi and others with HSLC toppers during Governor’s felicitation programme for HSLC and HSSLC toppers in Kohima on June 8. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 8
Raj Bhavan Kohima brought several young minds together as Governor’s felicitation programme for toppers, rank holders and achievers of various Governor’s Awards of HSLC and HSSLC Examination 2022 took place at Dr Imkongliba Ao Hall on June 8.
Speaking on the occasion, Nagaland Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi lauded the efforts of all the students who have received their High School and the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificates.
“Each one of you is an achiever. Your achievement is the result of your hard work over the years. It is also the result of the dedication of your teachers, parents and family members, therefore, you must not forget the support you have received from them,” he said.
Governor said that he was always happy to be in the company of bright, young students who are the future of the state and indeed the country. “The fact that you have passed these examinations with flying colours affirms the requisite talents to reach full potential by each one of you,” he said.
‘Learning is a never-ending process’
The Governor said that learning is a never-ending process. He said that the board examination of Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) is only a milestone in the journey of education “yet, this examinations are the stepping stones to the larger life where you will soon have to make serious decisions about careers and professions.”
Stating that some of the students will pursue further education and some may take to professional career, he said “I wish you all success and hope that you will keep in mind the interest of the nation in whatever you do.”
On girls out-performing the boys, he said “This excellence displayed by women is a reflection of Nagaland’s future as a gender-just state.”
‘Use your academic prowess to address needs of our community’
Speaking on the occasion, Nagaland School Education & SCERT, Advisor, KT Sukhalu said that academic excellence is an important aspect of success in our times. He, however, cautioned against defining “your self-worth and contribution to society only against this measure.”
Sukhalu urged the students to use “your academic prowess to address the needs of our community and the world around us.”
He said the candidates of HSLC & HSSLC Examinations 2022 were the once affected by COVID pandemic and no offline classes was possible in 2020 and partially held in 2021. “Both teachers and students had to experience a new mode of teaching and learning i.e. online classes. Parents too suffered as many students did not have the gadgets to attend online classes,” he said.
Sukhalu said that the lack of regular physical classes over the past two years has had a tangible effect on formal education which is evident in the significantly lowered pass percentage this year. “Each successful student has achieved something against the extraordinary odds of a global pandemic even by simply choosing to continue in school,” he said.
He said that the recently published National Family Health Survey shows that that the biggest reason among drop outs from school in 2019-2021 was they were “not interested in studies” with 36% of boys and 21% of girls across the country giving that reason for choosing not to continue with their formal education among many others.
This reinforces the achievement of all the students, teachers and parents who persevered despite the odds of the previous two years, he said.
He urged everyone to be achievers not only in academics but also in all social responsibilities.
The programme witnessed presentation of Governor’s Awards to HSLC and HSSLC toppers, awards for achievers in MIL & Skill Education subjects, NBSE Awards to HSLC and HSSLC toppers and Governor's Award for the Eastern Nagaland Districts in HSLC & HSSLC.
It was also marked by special number from students of GHSS Jotsoma, achievers talk and interaction between Governor and toppers/ rank holders.
Sushil Kumar Patel, Secretary, Finance department Nagaland and Manoj Kumar, Superintendent of Police (Crime) PHQ also delivered inspirational talk.
Introductory address was made by Asano Sekhose, Chairman, NBSE while vote of thanks was proposed by Kevileno Angami, Commissioner & Secretary for School Education and SCERT, Nagaland.
About the Governor’s Award
In 2004, the then Governor of Nagaland, Shyamal Dutta, having a deep concern for the students of Nagaland had initiated an interaction programme with the toppers and rank holders of HSLC & HSSLC Examinations conducted by NBSE.
Subsequently, in 2010, the then Governor of Nagaland, K. Sankaranarayanan, instituted the Governor's Award by generously contributing an amount of Rs. 13 lakh towards this as endowment fund to acknowledge the young achievers of Nagaland.
The Governor's Award is given to the toppers of HSLC & HSSLC (all three streams) Examinations conducted by the NBSE. The Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each and a Certificate. The amount for the award is met through the interest generated from the Endowment Fund.
The former Governor of Nagaland, P. B. Acharya announced the Awards to subject toppers in MILs and Skill Education subjects on 26th May 2017 and accordingly instituted the Awards by creating an Endowment Fund of Rs. 7 lakh in 2017. Each achiever receives Rs. 2000 in cash and a gift worth Rs. 1000 and from HSLC 2021, it was enhanced to Rs. 5000.
From HSLC & HSSLC Examinations 2021, the former Governor R N Ravi instituted awards for Governor's Award for Government School Students in HSLC & HSSLC: The best 3 students of HSLC and the best 3 students of Arts, Science & Commerce streams respectively of HSSLC from Government schools are awarded with cash award of Rs. 25000 for 1st Position, Rs. 15000 for 2nd Position and Rs. 10000 for the 3rd Position.
Ravi also instituted Governor's Award for the Eastern Nagaland Districts in HSLC & HSSLC: The best 3 students of HSLC and The best 3 students of Arts, Science & Commerce streams respectively of HSSLC from Eastern Nagaland Districts are awarded with cash award of Rs. 25000 for 1st Position, Rs. 15000 for 2nd Position and Rs. 10000 for 3rd Position.
Further, in order to encourage the Naga students in Science stream, Ravi also instituted the “Governor's Excellence Award in Science Study” in HSSLC with an endowment fund of Rs. 7 lakh. The Award is given to best 6 students (3 in PCB and 3 in PCM subject combinations) from HSSLC 2022. The 1st Award is 1,00,000, 2nd Award at Rs.50,000 and 3rd Award at Rs. 25,000 respectively for both the subject combinations.
NBSE Awards carries a cash award of Rs. 25,000 and a Certificate to the toppers of HSLC & HSSLC (all three streams) Examinations.
