Kuzhovesa Soho
Phek | May 23
“I consider myself a citizen of Phek,” says B R Chetri, Vice Principal and Founding Principal of Phek Government College. The longest serving lecturer in the college since its inception in 1981, B R Chetri joined the teaching profession as the Founding Principal of PGC. Recollecting the last 27 years in an interaction with this Correspondent, he says, “I still remember what changes have taken place within this span of time.”
Being loyal to his assignment, he always did his best to build up a strong relationship with the students so as to motivate them towards the right path in a friendly manner. Chetri expresses his anxiety over whether he can still manage to keep the flowers blooming despite his old age. He explains that maintaining a healthy relationship with the pupils with an intention of motivating an individual to the right path can be rightfully compared with that of a florist who always plans for his/her flowers to bloom to its maximum beauty. He, thereby, urges the teaching community to do the same in the long run.
Having dealt with all the affairs of the College for the past 27 years, the Founding Principal of PGC discloses that he is well connected with the people of the area and in the meantime considers himself as a citizen of Phek. Chetri graduated in the year 1975 from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, and subsequently did his post graduation in Political Science under North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in the year 1977. His lady wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Chetri, who also served as a senior lecturer in the same institution, voluntarily retired a few years ago and is now settled at their residence in Shillong at present.
Praising the good deeds of all the former Principals the College has had since its inception, Chetri has a special space for mention in his dairy, particularly for Edward Lotha, the present Director of Higher Education, C Khalong, the present Principal of Kohima Arts College and son, for their immense contributions towards the college, including both infrastructure and the human development during their principalship. “The college Silver Jubilee celebration which was celebrated in the year 2006 during the principalship of present Principal, Dr. Nobert Noraho, could not satisfy me fully without mentioning the credibility of the main architect – former Principal C Khalong. The historical event was celebrated with pomp and gaiety and I was extremely glad that I could be part of that historic event,” asserts the Vice Principal.
Phek Government College was established in the year 1981 under the collective contribution of leaders and well-wishers of the area. Despite the PGC having very poor infrastructure, it continued functioning without proper equipment till the college was taken over by the state government in February 1990. The immense contributions towards the college by the local inhabitants of Phek region in various aspects, in terms of financial, material and moral support, with an intention of uplifting the institution was no doubt an admirable deed, exclaims Chetri gratefully.
Mention may be made that despite the college functioning with possible lack of infrastructure materials for nearly a decade, the college now offers both Arts and Science streams, and has almost all the required infrastructure like transportation, communication link, fax, PBX, laboratory, college bus, etc. Urging further cooperation from the region’s local inhabitants, the veteran lecturer is of the view that the college will soon stand as a bright corner for denizens of the area.
