A Botoking
Dimapur | March 1
WITH THE first ever visit of Major General (Retd.) David Murray Naylor, Chairman of the Kohima Educational Trust (KET), the Nagas are now in a position to make use of the opportunity provided by the KET to scale new heights. In a tête-à-tête with a trustee, Lily ‘Adi’ Das - who discharges the fair allotment of scholarships - it was learnt that the KET had been set up by the 2nd World War veterans of the 2nd British Division in order to repay the debt of honour for help rendered during the Battle of Kohima by the Nagas. The aim of the KET is to provide educational opportunities to the people of Kohima and Nagaland. This year, these include the first 3 year scholarships to secondary school pupils whose families would otherwise be unable to afford their education as well as a seminar to support teacher training. To be fair, they decided to choose 3 students from the private sector and 3 others from the state / government sector. These scholarships are only for students, from Class 8 upwards.
The KET which is based in London, England has raised funds exceeding 70000 pounds for the Nagas. There are 9 Trustees in total and they are assisted by the Kohima Advisory Committee (KAC) which consists of 5 members. The KAC oversees the smooth running of the various projects and also submits Progress Reports twice in a year.
The KET plans to also introduce vocational training in the future, i.e. teaching skill based vocational education. Observing the underlying current of a huge number of unemployed graduates, Lily stated that the KET would be looking to help solve this problem. Further, the KET also plans to take a teacher, with potential, to England who will be taught a proper Teacher’s Training Course. This Teacher, in turn, will be expected to teach others by organizing Teacher’s Training Workshops under aegis of the KET.
Lily stated that the funds have been raised by the Trustees themselves by approaching friends, like minded individuals, etc. i.e. everything has been done on a personal level. On being asked the reasons for her becoming a part of KET, she stated that though she resides in England, her heart is still very much with her people. And that, it is through this Trust, she has been given the chance to contribute something good back to the Naga people.
Major General (Retd.) D.M.Naylor will be arriving in Nagaland tomorrow and is expected to stay till March 6. During his stay, he will be meeting IGAR Major General S.S.Kumar, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other official dignitaries. A wreath – laying ceremony will also be conducted at the Kohima War Cemetery.
Morung Express News
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