Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 30
Patkai Christian College on Saturday celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Science Education in the college at the Bundrock Chapel. Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Jharnapani was the chief guest on the occasion.
Major Kharsing Kaping, Territorial Army, a student of the first batch (1991-93), fondly recollected and shared experiences of the past. Recalling his teachers and classmates, Major Kaping stated, “Till date, we share a very good rapport.”
He also paid homage to former classmates who are no more.
Grateful for the learning the college provided, he encouraged the young students to take full advantage of the facilities in the college.
He informed that the batch has already donated a laptop and a LED TV for video conferencing and will provide furniture for a seminar hall.
Zuthunglo Patton, IFS, DFO Wokha, from the Class of 2004, recalled with nostalgia the times spent in the college and credited the college for the persons she is today.
She encouraged students to enjoy their stay in the college. “Participate in extracurricular activities and at the same time study hard – there is no alternative to this,” Patton exhorted.
Sharing a story of how she had participated in a trio song contest and performed embarrassingly, Patton urged the students to take the embarrassing experiences as the “rainbow of colour” to one’s life and not just live a black and white life.
Quoting Myles Munroe’s “The poorest man in the world is the man without a dream. The most frustrated man in the world is the man with a dream that never becomes reality,” Patton encouraged the students to dream and work hard towards achieving the dream.
Former faculty Mihir Hota from the Physics Department speaking on the occasion termed the college as “one of the best institutes not only in the North East, but also in India.” Hota recalled how the college had laboratory facilities which were unmatched back in the early 90s.
Prof G. Kalita, who was instrumental in setting up the Geology Department in the college, also spoke on the occasion and recalled his stint with the college.
A final year BSc student also spoke on the occasion thanked the college for offering “something more than bookish-education”. He expressed pride in the college’s established alumni and urged the college to organise more programmes where the alumni can interact with students.
Principal Emeritus Rev Dr. Tuisem A. Shishak shared how science education in the college started and recalled, “It was too expensive to start science.”
Mentioning two foreign aid agencies – one from Germany and another from The Netherlands, the octogenarian recollected the testing times he had to undergo in pursuit of funds to start science education in the college.
“Never give up,” he exhorted the gathering and added, “God has so much for each of us.”
Rev. Shishak expressed hope that Patkai’s motto of “Light and Truth” will continue to lead the college in the future. Referring to the alumni as the “greatest joy” he and his wife, Margaret, share, Rev. Shishak expressed thanks to the batch of 1991 for doing something and hoped that others would follow suit. “Don’t forget Patkai with your pockets,” he urged.
Chief guest Dr. Mitra pointed to the need for faith in ourselves and in God.
Giving his approach to success, the ICAR-NRC (Mithun) Director, pointed to 3Ps – purity, patience and perseverance – as being essential to becoming a successful person. He credited Rev Shishak as having all 3Ps in endeavouring and setting up the college.
