Tuesday, Jun 06, 2023 05:15 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, Jun 05, 2023 23:32 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Chief Minister PS Golay marked the World Environment Day celebrations in Sikkim by planting a sapling at Dr Mahendra Pradhan Memorial Botanical Garden in the premises of Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College here at Tadong today.
The World Environment Day programme was jointly organized by Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College (NBBGC) in collaboration with the Forest & Environment department. The grand finale of Inspire 2023, the annual college fest was also held at the college auditorium.
It was attended by Forest minister Karma Loday Bhutia, Tadong MLA GT Dhungel, ministers, guests, Forest officials, NBBGC principal Dr. D Purohit, faculty and students.
With regard to the various demands related to the NBBGC placed by Dr Purohit, the Chief Minister expressed, “NBBGC is one of the oldest and reputed government colleges in Sikkim. The former students of NBBGC have been doing exceptionally well in their professional fields in the State, national and international levels. The college has a strength of more than 1500 students annually, but the auditorium hall is tiny with 400-person capacity. This year, the State government will construct a 1500-person capacity ‘Inspire’ auditorium with AC and solar panel facilities.”
“We will try to complete the construction within this year. The hall will be beneficial, not just for the college, but can also be rented out to the public for revenue generation. The revenue generated can be used for maintenance of the college premises. The old auditorium hall can be converted into a classroom.”
The Chief Minister informed that the State government will set aside funds for the renovation, repair, face-lifting and maintenance of the college building, provision of library books, laboratory chemicals etc. He also informed that every year, the State government will provide funds for excursion for the final year students of the college.
The excursion trip will be a one-destination trip, and the students will have to provide NOC from their parents, compulsorily.
Regarding the shortage of post-graduate teachers in NBBGC, Golay informed that interviews for appointment of faculty in various departments are on-going. He urged the college authorities to send a list of requirements of non-teaching staff like plumber, electrician, cleaner etc. He also informed that an administrative officer will be appointed before Dasain holidays.
The NBBGC principal spoke on the Inspire 2023.
“Inspire is a platform provided by the NBBGC to students to showcase their talents in different curriculum fields viz. culture, literature and sports. The fest was initiated after the pandemic, in the attempt to get the students out of the Covid pandemic aftermath,” expressed Dr. Purohit.
The principal further highlighted the various achievements of the NBBGC.
Later, Students’ Representative Council (SRC) president Bishwa Hang Limboo placed another set of demands before the Chief Minister, on behalf of the students.
The Chief Minister endorsed the demand for providing laptops to the first year students. The laptops will be distributed by the Education department.
On request of the final year students, this year, the final year students will also be provided laptops before their term ends. The laptops to the final year students will be provided from the CM’s personal fund.
Golay expressed that the demand for construction of a crossover bridge near college gate highway is a genuine one. He urged the college to get in touch with area MLA GT Dhungel for further planning.
The Chief Minister further accepted SRC’s other demands of construction of basketball court in the college premises, providing sound system in the auditorium hall, funds for construction of toilets and installation of sanitary vending machines in the college premises, under the Bahini scheme. He also informed that the special facilities will also be provided for specially-abled students.
On behalf of the State government, the Chief Minister congratulated the Forest department and Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College for conducting the World Environment Day in a grand manner.
“World Environment Day is being celebrated in different urban and rural areas, with plantations programmes across Sikkim. On behalf of the State government, I would like to thank all the members from the Forest department for smoothly conducting the events in different locations. Plantation programmes should not be confined to environment day, but every individual should plant trees and different plants occasionally. Earth is choking with climate change, pollution etc. and planting trees is one of the solutions to save the environment. We should not always depend on the Forest department, but we should also do our part. On the occasion of World Environment Day, I urge the people of Sikkim to plant trees and plants in their gardens, to make earth stronger. Let us pledge to protect the environment and make our earth greener and cleaner,” said the Chief Minister.
Golay spoke about the State government’s initiative ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati programme where 100 trees will be planted for every child born. “Instead of 100, I have changed the number to 108 trees as 108 is an auspicious number. 8000 children are born annually in Sikkim and if we plant 108 trees then in a year, we will have more than 8 lakh trees in Sikkim. It will be a boon for Mother Earth,” he added.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister highlighted the various schemes and policies of the State government in the education sector, including infrastructure development of Sanchaman Limboo Degree College (former Geyzing college). He informed that the first and second phase will be inaugurated by December 2023.
Forest secretary Dr. Pradeep Kumar briefly highlighted the various achievements of the State government for the protection of the environment viz. ban of plastic water bottles up to 2 litre, ‘A Day to Mother Earth’ and the ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ programme recently introduced by the State government.
CM’S ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR NBBGC
Construction of a 1500-person capacity ‘Inspire Convention’ auditorium with AC and solar panel facility, expectedly by the end of this year.
Creation of budget for renovation, repair and face-lifting of the college building
Increase of faculty members in various PG departments
Provision of funds for library books, laboratory chemicals and maintenance of the college
Funds for excursion for final year students
Non-teaching staff employment
Appointment of administrative officer, with staff quarters and basic facilities before Dasain.
Laptops for first year students
Construction of basketball court in the college premises
Construction of cross-over bridge near college gate highway
Funds for sound system in auditorium, construction of toilets
Sanitary vending machine in college premises
Special facility for differently-abled students
