The two-day Nagaland Philatelic Exhibition 2014 (NAGAPEX-14) being held at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School here concluded today. Postal Services, Nagaland organized the event to popularize stamp collection and philately among young people. Hence, there were workshop on philately, competitions on stamp design, letter writing and philatelic exhibition for school students at the event which started March 7.
Speaking at the closing event as guest of honour, F P Solo, Commissioner & Secretary, Higher & Technical Education, Government of Nagaland asserted philately is a very creative past time and generates lots of new ideas and innovations. Affirming that ideas, whether big or small always sell, he urged the students to dream as ideas start from dreams. To translate dreams into reality, he asked them to develop “scientific temper, spirit of enquiry, inquisitiveness, quest for knowledge, passion to acquire more and more knowledge.” He observed these qualities lacking in many people.
As students, he stated, one should develop more interest in studies, particularly science and mathematics. Referring to the recent report on education in Nagaland, the guest of honour said that Nagaland is doing quite well in terms of literacy and rate of enrolment, but lacking in many parameters of quality education. One concern, he pointed out was shortage of mathematics and science teachers. “If we do not find qualified, efficient teachers, we cannot expect our children to do well in science and mathematics.” Therefore, he urged the students to give sufficient attention to mathematics and science and also consider teaching profession.
He maintained that (science) students generally opt for engineering and other technical courses in Nagaland. On an average, the state gets about 200 technical graduates every year. However, he expressed that Nagaland being a small state has not many employment avenues for technical graduates and the unemployment rate among them is also quite high. He added that unlike technical graduates, a science graduate with mathematics as major or just a subject is likely to get employed as teacher. And for those with MSc along with NET certificate can be appointed as assistant professor in universities or colleges. Citing these, he encouraged the students to give serious thought to teaching profession.
The guest of honour also gave away the prizes to the winners of stamp design, letter writing and philatelic exhibition competitions. Students from Kohima, Dimapur, and Mokokchung participated in the competitions. Six invitee philatelists from within and outside Nagaland were also felicitated.
