Dy DM Y Patton with others during the launching of TCK Foundation Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies at LTC Hall, Wokha Town on January 11.
Morung Express News
Wokha | January 11
The TCK Foundation, a social and educational trust, initiated by Abeni TCK and family members of late TCK Lotha (IAS Retd), former Chief Secretary and Cabinet Minister, Government of Nagaland launched the TCK Foundation Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies at LTC Hall, Wokha Town on January 11.
The guest of honour was Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton, who was closely associated with TCK Lotha as a colleague in the legislature of 1998.
Towards academic excellence
On the occasion, Patton expressed a “deep sense of pride and happiness to know that the family members are launching a scholarship in his honour, to give a push to the needy students towards academic excellence and in order to carry forward the legacy of compassion, excellence and service that TCK Lotha exemplified during his lifetime.”
In his speech, Patton mentioned that TCK Lotha of Tsungiki village of Wokha district was the first Lotha IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh Cadre, 1964.
Born in a humble family he started his educational career very humbly in the village and finally managed to crack the UPSC exams in 1964. He mentioned that TCK Lotha was a very distinguished and refined statesman who served the state of Nagaland in various important positions during the very difficult times of insurgency.
“When the Naga society was passing through a very difficult time over many issues, the Nagaland Government borrowed his services in the year 1968 and he served in almost all the districts in the state of Nagaland,” Patton said.
Stating that this Scholarship Foundation is the “first of its kind in the district in particular,” he challenged the well-wishers to willingly come forward for contribution. “Today is just the beginning but this Trust will go a long way particularly for the welfare of the undergraduate studies and therefore, I call upon every right thinking citizens to generously contribute towards its success in days to come,” he stated.
During the programme, messages from Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland, and Dr C Jamir, former Chief Minister of Nagaland, and Governor were also read to the gathering.
Recollecting his association with TCK Lotha, Jamir said, “The life of a man is not measured by the length of years on this temporary abode but by the achievements and examples to be emulated by posterity.” He added that TCK’s contributions to the people of Nagaland in different capacities shall be treasured for posterity and said, “It is hope and pray that Foundation will surely fulfil its goal as one of the path breakers in the field of philanthropy.”
In his message, Rio stated that the path to a student’s confidence and success begins by creating a culture of encouragement, and such endeavours will boost them academically while inculcating the values of hard work, and competing on merit. “I am certain that this programme will benefit the students from weaker sections not only to pursue their aspirations, but also bring about positive change in society,” the CM Stated.
TCK Foundation
In a short welcome, Abeni TCK Lotha introduced the TCK Foundation as a non-profit trust instituted by the family members of TCK Lotha (IAS) in his memory and legacy, for the propagation of the ideals of educational excellence, courageous leadership and societal responsibility with compassion, that he exemplified in his distinguished service to the people of Nagaland as an administrator and political leader of the highest caliber.
She highlighted that the main aims and objectives of the trust are to support and promote educational excellence by sponsoring needy students through scholarships; create awareness on various social, moral and economic issues affecting the country; undertake a broad range of charitable activities for various sections of society, as and when the need arises.
TCK Foundation Scholarship
Rev Shan Kikon introduced the scholarship as a means of facilitating deserving candidates, who are unable to pursue higher education owing to financial constraints, with valuable financial support towards their undergraduate studies so as to enable them to achieve their desired life goals.
The scholarship will provide Rs 50,000 per annum to a chosen candidate for the period of their undergraduate studies in any recognised field of education.
Since this is the first year of the launch, the first invitation is made to students from the Lotha community, it was informed. In the initial year (2023), two individuals will be chosen- one female and one male, for a duration of four years.
The support offered per student shall be Rs 50,000 per annum, subject to fulfillment of the Foundation’s eligibility criteria. From the second year, the scholarship will be open to students from all the Naga tribe based in Nagaland.
Interested candidates may apply in the prescribed form available for download on the www.tcklothafoundation.org website. The details of the scholarship and the eligibility criteria are also available on the website. All physical application forms with attached documents and copies must be received at the address of the Foundation before and on of June 30, 2023. The forms and documents may also be scanned and emailed to the Foundation as additional records to tcklothafoundation@gmail.com
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Khyochano TCK, while the invocation was done by Pastor T Mhao Kikon from Tsungiki Baptist Church. Video messages sent by L Colney (IAS Retd), former Chief Secretary Nagaland, RS Pandey (IAS Retd), former Chief Secretary Nagaland and Binod Kumar (IAS Retd) Nagaland, who were all colleagues of TCK Lotha were also displayed.
