Shillong, Nov 04: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday gave away awards to degrees holders of the North Eastern Hill University on its 26th convocation which saw a total of 14,502 candidates receiving their degrees.

The candidates who received their degrees include 1,989 in person, and 12,513 in absentia. The function was held at NEHU’s convocation hall, Mawlai Umshing.

There were 136 PhD candidates, 41 M.Phil, 1,342 post-graduate, and 12,983 bachelor’s degree.

The President, who is the visitor of NEHU, distributed awards to the awardees in the presence of Meghalaya governor, Tathagata Roy, Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad K. Sangma, vice-chancellor of NEHU, S K Srivastava, other dignitaries, teachers and relatives of the degree holders.

Kanubhai Hasmukhbhai Tailor, a physically challenged person was honoured with the Degree of Doctor of Letters by the university. He was recognised for his outstanding contributions in advancing the cause of voluntary humanitarian services.

Delivering his address, the President congratulated the degree holders including awardees.

Complimenting girls in matrilineal Meghalaya who outshone boys, Kovind said, “This shows the society’s progress.”

He said that having students from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Thailand, Africa and Middle-East in the University would further promote cultural cohesion and cross pollination of learning.

The President also recalled people from Meghalaya who have made their mark and contributed to the stare like former Lok Sabha Speaker, late Purno A Sangma, former chairman of the Union Public Service Commission, Prof David R Syiemlieh and others, and urged students to look up and take good examples from such personalities.

Stating that there is lot to learn from the traditional wisdom of Meghalaya, the President lauded the efforts put toward ensuring cleanliness in villages of Meghalaya, art of building living root bridges and mentioned about the cleanest village Mawlynnong, and the pristine water of Umngot river.

Lauding Meghalaya for its passion about sports especially football, the President also urged the youth to stay away from bad habits and substance abuse.

On development front, the President urged NEHU to also play a catalytic role for economic development of Meghalaya and help the state in achieving better ranking on human development indices. “Institutions of higher education like NEHU can also be instruments of social and economic transformation,” he observed.

The President also talked about opportunities and challenges for the youth and asked them to work hard and give back to the society.

The President said that to fulfill the University Social Responsibility (USR) obligations, students of the university should spend time at some villages, help the villagers deal with their problems and make them aware about the importance of sanitation, literacy, vaccination and nutrition of children.

In line with the NEHU’s motto ‘rise up and build’ the President urged the students to rise up as a person with commitment, compassion, courage and competence, and build their career, character, community and country.

The Governor, Tathagata Roy while stressing the need for unity and equal development, exhorted the youth to hold the banner of Indianness aloft, as they maintain their individuality, regional traits and own identity.

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma talked about climate change, and cited the current problem of climate in New Delhi, even as he urged the youth to help make this earth liveable.

He also also talked about entrepreneurship and inspired the youth to take risk in doing business and become entrepreneurs and help the state towards improving its economy and transform humanity.