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| Their placards screaming anti-terrorist
slogans, members of the Northeast Girl Students’
Union demonstrate in Guwahati on Monday. Picture by
Eastern Projections |
A different college
Bosco Barefoot College (BBC) at Boko, a branch of Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati,
observed graduation ceremony for its 16th batch of students
on Thursday. The programme was attended by villagers and officials.
Deputy commissioner Kamrup (rural) R.C. Jain, who was the
chief guest, gave away certificates to the successful students.
Officials of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation
(NEDFi) and Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) also attended
the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the executive director of Don Bosco
Institute, Fr V.M. Thomas, rued the lack of progress in the
area. “The world is making rapid strides in every field while
these youngsters are left behind. This brews frustration and
resentment.”
“The youth in the Northeast are the most vulnerable lot
who become soft targets for antisocials and militants. We
are trying to involve them in constructive activities that
will lead to their economic uplift and keep them away from
antinational activities,” he said.
Known as a centre for skills training, BBC is a college with
a difference.
It targets rural youths, mainly school dropouts or those who
are semi-literate. They are offered a six-month training package
which includes theoretical and practical learning in tailoring,
agricultural farming, carpentry, food processing and livestock
management, including poultry and piggery.
Jain said that in spite of efforts by government and NGOs,
productivity of the state is going down. He blamed cultivators
for lack of sustainable effort and highlighted need for double
cropping. “Mono cropping land is now saturated and there is
no way but to go for double cropping. Otherwise, villagers
will have to switch to horticulture.”
He, however, praised Don Bosco Institute for helping rural
youths become self-dependent.
Nehu course
The UGC-Academic Staff College, North Eastern Hill University
(Nehu), Shillong will organise refresher courses in 12 subjects
during the academic year 2007-08. Applications are being
invited for these courses from college and university teachers.
The courses offered are geography, Hindi, zoology, chemistry,
economics, education, mathematics, political science, botany,
history and English.
New batch
The 14th batch of Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) of Assam
Institute of Management was inaugurated by education minister
Ripun Bora today at Pandit Tirthanath Sarma Sabhagar Hall.
The institute is approved by the All-India Council for Technical
Education (AICTE). Air Marshal P.K. Barbora graced the occasion
as guest of honour.
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