SKM Students’ Wing organises SRC Meet & Greet

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK, : SKM Students’ Wing organised ‘All Sikkim Students Representative Council Meet and Greet’ here at a local hotel on Sunday. The program was graced by Rural Development minister ArunUpreti as the chief guest and Welfare minister Samdup Lepcha, MLA Aditya Golay, SKM Youth Wing president Lakpa Moktan, Chief Minister’s PRO Ratna Mani Pradhan, SKM Students Wing advisor Bhim Kumari Sharma, Students Wing coordinator Neeraj Adhikari and former president Chopel Sherpa as the guests of honour.

The program had the presence of SRCs of 13 government colleges across the State along with Sikkim University Students Association (SUSA).

Minister Upreti, in his address, emphasized the importance of education for students to become responsible citizens. He assured that the government would work towards addressing the grievances raised by the SRC representatives from 13 government colleges and the Sikkim University Students Association.

Upreti called for a phased approach to resolve the issues, with immediate, mid-term and long-term solutions.

MLA Aditya Golay, who is also the vice president of SKM Students’ Wing, highlighted that this was the first such meet with all the SRCs and assured that the grievances would be submitted to the Chief Minister for prompt redressal. He assured the SRCs to meet them individually and know their issues so that amicable solutions are met on timely manner.

Minister Samdup Lepcha pledged support for students’ welfare, mentioning several scholarships offered by his department. He appreciated the SKM Students’ Wing for organising such interactions as solutions come through discussions and dialogue.

Ratna Mani Pradhan highlighted the government’s commitment to student welfare, noting scholarships and efforts to support students during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, including the successful push for free medical seats for Sikkimese students.

SKM Students Wing president Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha discussed the need for changes in the college system and highlighted the upcoming Sikkim Students Sphere (S3 Podcast) for students' welfare.

“This meeting is to know and understand what changes are required in the colleges for development of higher education in the State. In the past when we were leading the SRCs, it was impossible to meet or share the students’ issues to the then State government and the then Chief Minister or ministers. But under the current leadership, the ministers themselves are here to meet the students considering the importance of students to the State,” said Lepcha.

Coordinator Neeraj Adhikari urged SRCs to focus not only on college matters but also on tackling social issues like suicide prevention and career counselling for students.