Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio addressing the virtual felicitation programme for the 51 students who were awarded the Chief Minister’s Meritorious Students’ Fellowship (CMMSF) on July 19. (Photo Courtesy: CM’s Office)
51 awarded Chief Minister’s Meritorious Students’ Fellowship
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 19
“I am very proud of you all. Your success is the result of your hard work and determination making your family, school and your well-wishers proud,” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio conveyed to the best 51 students at HSLC Examination 2020 conducted by the Nagaland Board of School Education.
“I hope that this is the beginning of more and bigger achievements, as you pursue your studies and your careers in life; and that, you will bring more laurels to the state in the future,” CM said in his speech during a virtual felicitation programme held on July 19.
The 51 students were also awarded the Chief Minister’s Meritorious Students’ Fellowship (CMMSF).
In spite of the hard times due to COVID-19, Rio noted, “our students are seriously pursuing their studies through on-line and other available means. The result of the last Board’s Examination has shown that the pass percentage has improved. This is quite encouraging. It is a fact that for those brave hearts, hard times bring out the best in them.”
He urged the whole student community of Nagaland to be committed stay focused, and not allow the present pandemic situation to stand in the way of their studies, or their future careers.
In this increasingly competitive world, Rio encouraged the students saying, “In whichever field you may choose your career, you have to be amongst the best.”
He added, “in this competitive world, it is important that you select your line of study carefully; after considering your talents and subjects of interest so that the academic knowledge you gain supplement these and help you in reaching out for your dreams, and build a successful career.”
Addressing the employment concerns, the CM admitted that the “avenues under the State Government are limited” and advised the students not to limit their arena to a government job in the State. “You must keep in mind that the playground for an achiever extends to the entire world so you should strive to fulfill your dreams and aspirations accordingly.”
The CM also expressed worry that “of late, we have less and less Naga youth qualifying for the IAS and Central Services. These premier civil services are the best and shortest route available for our youth to occupy powerful and important positions in the Central Government, as well as in various other States, including our own State. For the academically gifted students, I want to advise you to prepare for the various competitive examinations under the UPSC.”
With the world is changing at a rapid pace in every field; especially in the realm of science and technology, the CM highlighted the need for the Education department “to re-orient our education system, so as to equip our students to face the new world with confidence, and to help them realize their full potential, and to become productive and resourceful citizens.”
Meanwhile, the DIPR report added that Advisor, School Education, KT Sukhalu speaking at the programme commended the awardees for their achievement and called them to be torch bearers for all the students who will be following their footstep. While stating that there is so much ahead of them, he advised the students not to get distracted.
Chairman, NBSE, Asano Sekhose highlighted about the CMMSF and the eligibility criteria for the award. NBSE grants fellowship to the top 50 students as per the HSLC examination. The fellowship is available for Indigenous Scheduled Tribes of Nagaland. It provides financial assistance to the selected students for further studies and is valid for five years, and will depend on the performance of the student which shall be continuously monitored.
Awardees, Azizi Phesao from Model Higher Secondary School and Ngamjong Jn Yanlem from St John Higher Secondary Residential School, Dimapur also spoke on behalf of the award recipients and thanked the Chief Minister, Directorate of School Education, NBSE and various organization for coming up with the CMMSF initiative.
