DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 26 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today discussed possibilities of tie-ups with the Government of the United Kingdom in the fields of education, language development, music, culture and tourism. He was interacting with Alan Gemmel, OBE, Head of British Council in India who called on him this morning at his residence, informed a press note from the CMO.
According to the CMO, Gemmel revealed that the British Council sponsors more than 200 scholarships every year from all over the country to pursue higher studies in Universities in the UK. He however lamented that not many are from the North Eastern region and expressed his desire to see more students from the region availing these scholarships.
The Chief Minister suggested creating more awareness about this scholarship scheme among the student community of the region.
The British Council also proposed training of teachers to impart further training to other teachers. The Council is involved in Teacher Development Programmes in 13 States in India and has shown interest in tying up with the Government of Nagaland.
The Chief Minister suggested incorporating Skill Development in the curricula of schools so that by the time students matriculate, they would have some selected skills to rely on to earn their livelihoods.
The Chief Minister also assured the visiting delegates that he would find out ways and means with the NEC to sponsor such a programme in the State and expressed his desire to work towards Human Capital Development. The Head of the British Council informed the Chief Minister that it is also into programmes such as imparting basic and proper English for tourist guides, adding that English is the universal language.
In consonance with the joint declaration of the Prime Ministers of the two countries to observe 2017 as Year of Euro Culture, the British Council expressed its keen desire to incorporate the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland into the scheme of things.
It was also confirmed this morning that Alan Gemmel would grace the 3rd day of Hornbill Festival this year as the Chief Guest. Gemmel expressed his desire to promote the culture of the Nagas with the aim of promoting tourism in the State and called for proper networking amongst the stakeholders.
The Chief Minister meanwhile proposed setting up a Music Academy in the State where the local youth can be trained.
G Sema, Project Director of Music Task Force suggested training for local musicians to fine tune their talents and also to market them properly. Sema said Nagas, being Christians, are familiar with most of the hymns and also with the staff notations but that music literacy needs to be enhanced and made more professional.
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