Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi Inaugurated NEGC 2018 at USTM

9th Mile, RiBhoi, 17 February, 2018: The 5th edition of North East Graduate Congress (NEGC) was inaugurated today by the Assam Governor Prof. JagdishMukhi after he flagged off a colourful cultural procession representing the eight north-eastern states at the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya. Besides the Governor, the inaugural function was participated by Prof. Bhabesh Chandra Goswami, Vice Chancellor, Cotton University, Prof. Ved Prakash, former Chairman, UGC, Sri DilipTirkey, MP, Olympian and former captain of Indian hockey team, apart from other dignitaries. The Governor of Assam also laid the foundation stone of Srimanta Sankardev Block of USTM today. Thousands of students from more than 200 colleges from all over the north-eastern states are participating in this mega youth conglomeration.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Governor of Assam, said, “NEGC is a congregation of students belonging to diverse culture, ethnicity and languages. My appeal to the young generation is that you become entrepreneurs and not run after jobs. That will help the North East, Assam and the country as a whole”. He said that economic growth of a country is possible if the mindset of the people changes.

Earlier, welcoming the participants, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor, USTM said that USTM is a people’s university and one of its main objective is to provide service to students and society and contribute to the nation building process. “We can organize this event in any part of the north-eastern region and have more and more participation of students in the near future”, he added.

In his speech, Prof Ved Prakash said, “Talent is available in rural areas. We have the responsibility to identify those talents”. Highly praising USTM for its innovative endeavours, Prof. Prakash said that today’s youth should dream for topmost service in any field. He said, “We need universities which can innovate, strive for quality of education in order to bring the country to the nest stage of development. Some educational institutions are doing exceedingly good. We have to multiply the number of such institutions”.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Bhabesh Chandra Goswami, Vice Chancelor, Cotton University said that NEGC has become an event of national integration and urged the students to be judicious in consuming natural resources and effort should be not to disturb the eco system. The vote of thanks was offered by Prof Alaka Sarma, Pro Vice Chancellor of USTM.

NEGC aims at preparing and enhancing all round development of the future graduates through guiding them and placing them in a position where they can decide what is next after graduation. The objective is to make them responsible youth and accountable citizens of this country. The event provides a platform to the college youths of all the states of North East to showcase their talents as well as get opportunity to prepare their action plan after graduation.

More than 10,000 students witnessed the gala beginning of 5th NEGC with the cultural manifestations of eight sister states of the region. East of North East was represented by the students of 40 communities belonging to the entire region, each state displaying indigenous cultural presentation with indigenous costumes.
Separate sessions were held simultaneously at different venues at USTM. Session on personality development by renowned motivational speaker Thomas John Rose, soft skill workshop, technical session on “Youth and Entrepreneurship” by Dr Nomal Bora, CMD, GNRC Hospitals, technical session on competitive exams by Sailen Baishya, National Workshop for Teachers titled “Extension Education”, two panel discussions on “Youth, Politics and Corruption” and “Women for Society”.

The various competitions that were being held simultaneously in different venues include: Science Model competition, Debate competition on the topic ‘GST is the instrument of Economic Growth’, Quiz, Best Graduate, apart from the various sports and cultural competitions. The sports competitions such as Volleyball, football, badminton, Kabaddi, Karrom and cultural competitions of singing, dance, skit and the Best Graduate competition were participated with much enthusiasm. Prizes and awards worth more than 10 lakhs will be given away to the winners of various competitions. All the participants will get certificates. The event will conclude tomorrow with valedictory and prize distribution ceremony.