Dimapur, August 28 (MExN): Patkai Christian College (PCC) celebrated its 35th Foundation Day at a quaint ceremony on Friday at the College premises. The special day also coincided with Rev. Judson Rungsung, Principal for the last five years, handing over the academic charge of the college to incoming Principal Kolezo Chase in front of a packed congregation in the Bundrock Chapel of the premiere college of the state. The day also witnessed L Edward Lotha, former Director for higher & technical education, being instated as the new chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) taking over from the present, Er. Kibangwar Ao.
General Secretary of the NBCC, Rev. Dr. Anjo Keikung, in his message, on behalf of the NBCC congratulated the college for their exemplary deeds in the pursuit of education. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said, “Education means all round development,” to build the society, to make the world better and for the preparation of life. “Education should not just be for employment but to achieve better things in life,” he said. “The Institution is like a quarry,” he said metaphorically quoting from the Bible, “preparing the students to build the Temple of God.” Advising the teachers to let their teachings and lifestyles go together, the Reverend said, “Knowledge and wisdom go hand in hand and is not only to find a place in the society but to find a place in this life and eternity.”
The outgoing principal in his farewell speech spoke about his association with the college for the past 35 years reminiscing on fond memories of the early days when he first joined as a budding lecturer. “One fine day in the early part of 1974, I received two ‘calling letters’ for lectureship from the government of Manipur and the other from Rev. Dr. Tuisem A Shishak,” the founder and the Principal Emeritus of PCC, he recalled nostalgically. Before his association with Rev. Dr. Shishak, he was a teacher at his native village, he said. Faced with two tempting offers, he opted for the latter from the pioneer educationist, he said. He got selected after an interview which was held in the present Half Nagarjan, he revealed, joining as a lecturer of economics in August of 1974. Exactly 35 years to the day, he is retiring.
“When I first came here, there were only three thatched structures,” he recalled, a far cry from the present concrete buildings with all the basic amenities. One was the dormitory where the students stayed. There, he along with Rev. Dr. Shishak stayed with the students. He proudly revealed that all his five children, with his wife of thirty years, were born in the college, all of whom did their schooling and college in Patkai itself moving out only to pursue higher studies.
Except for the years ’77-’78, he had been associated with the college since its inception. Those two years he left for the United States to pursue theological studies. “I am very grateful to God for being with me all these years,” he said with devotion. Despite an ugly incident in the earlier part of his career here, when he suffered a bullet injury, he stayed on. “God brought me here,” Rev. Rungsung said stoically. He felt pride in the fact that the college reached such a stature to be accredited with autonomy and hoped that it would earn university status in its 50th founding anniversary. He was also all praise for the two donor villages of Seithikima and Chumukedima for donating land to the institution, 1000 acres in area. “They have become great exemplary villages,” he said and prayed that the Sovereign Lord shower endless blessing upon the villages. Calling upon all to support the incoming principal, Rev. Judson Rungsung said, “Let us uphold him for the cause of the college.”
Er. Kibanger Ao, outgoing chairman of the BoT, Dr. Jyoti Roy, Reader and president of the SUPCC, also gave short speeches. Dr. Roy dubbed the founding of the institution as “the radical and out-of-the-box dream of the Shishaks.” All the speakers had great praise for Mrs. Margaret Shishak, who could not attend the function as she is out of the country, regarded as one of the pillars of the foundation of the PCC. The new principal and the chairman of the BoT will take charge from September 1.
