Nongpoh, October 30: The Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) has proposed that each pressure group in the district contribute ₹1,000 annually towards an education fund to support meritorious students and encourage higher education among the youth.
The proposal was highlighted by RBYF president Bipul Thangkhiew during an award ceremony organised by the federation on Friday to honour 29 meritorious students from Ri-Bhoi district who excelled in different academic examinations, including SSLC and HSSLC in Science, Commerce and Arts streams.
During the programme, the federation felicitated the students with certificates, mementoes and cash awards. Special recognition was also given to two students who secured positions among the top performers at the state level. The federation also distributed its annual stipends to deserving students in recognition of their academic achievements.
Addressing the gathering, Thangkhiew said several pressure groups in Ri-Bhoi were working towards the welfare and development of the district, and education should be a common priority. He suggested that if each organisation contributed ₹1 lakh annually to an education fund, the collective effort could provide greater financial assistance to students.
He said such a fund would enable the organisations to go beyond annual felicitation programmes and support students who aspire to pursue higher studies, including professional and advanced courses outside the state, with the aim of helping them achieve higher positions in their careers.
The federation’s leaders also explained that, unlike previous years when public announcements were made inviting students to submit their marksheets for recognition, this year the organisation directly approached the state Education Department to obtain the list of meritorious students from Ri-Bhoi.
The initiative was taken to identify deserving students without putting additional pressure on them or their parents to apply for the awards.
The programme was attended by N. Thangkhiew, Principal of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Ri-Bhoi, as the chief guest, while RBYF president Bipul Thangkhiew attended as the guest of honour.
Other RBYF leaders present included Working President Liander Nongshli, Adviser A.G. Sten, Assistant Secretary Denis Syngkli, Education Secretary Shembok Marbah, Assistant Education Secretary Rishan Nongtri, Finance Secretary Bawantippor Marwein, Sports Secretary Neversad Makdoh, Political Secretary R.J. Thangkhiew and Organising Secretary P.P. Kylla, among others.
