Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sharingain Longkumer on July 8 inaugurated teaching aids and IT equipment at Fazl Ali College (FAC), Mokokchung, under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
The project, implemented by the District Administration, Mokokchung, aims to strengthen the teaching and learning infrastructure at Fazl Ali College through the integration of modern educational technology.
Under the initiative, the college has been equipped with 15 All-in-One PCs, 10 interactive smart panels, 10 Public Address (PA) lectern systems, and 10 UPS units, each with four batteries, to support uninterrupted classroom instruction and enhance digital learning.
Addressing the gathering, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer said Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a responsibility of companies to contribute to society, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare and infrastructure where government schemes may not always reach. He said CSR is now an integral part of corporate functioning in India and appreciated Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for supporting educational institutions through such initiatives.
Longkumer said petroleum and petroleum based products have become an integral part of daily life, making life easier and more convenient. He thanked BPCL and other public sector enterprises for contributing not only through their core business but also by supporting communities through CSR programmes.
Referring to the teaching aids and IT equipment inaugurated at Fazl Ali College, he said the facilities are a requirement that educational institutions urgently need in today’s digital age. He said the initiative aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and urged Nagaland to become a contributing state towards achieving that national goal, noting that only 21 years remain to realise the vision.
Speaking on education, Longkumer said that during the earlier generations, when the literacy rate was around 60 to 70 per cent, those who were educated stood out because a significant section of the population remained illiterate. Today, however, with Nagaland’s literacy rate at around 95.7 per cent, almost everyone is literate, making the competition much more intense. He said literacy alone is no longer enough and students pursuing higher education must prepare themselves to compete in an increasingly connected and digital world.
Stressing the importance of employability, Longkumer said life skills are what will distinguish one individual from another. He urged students to make full use of the new facilities to improve their personality, discipline, communication and other practical skills that would prepare them for life beyond college.
He also called upon the teaching faculty to make effective use of the new technology and focus on equipping students not only with academic knowledge but also with values, life skills and practical understanding to help them face the realities of life after graduation. He said teachers must continue learning themselves in order to guide students in an evolving digital environment and ensure technology is used responsibly.
Pointing to employment challenges in the state, Longkumer said government jobs are limited and cannot be the only aspiration for young people. He observed that Nagaland has one of the highest proportions of government employees relative to its population among the states in India, and urged students to prepare themselves for opportunities beyond the government sector.
He said India is moving towards a participatory nation where every citizen has a role to play, adding that Nagaland’s future will depend on the aspirations and contributions of its people rather than a culture of blame.
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Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, thanked Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for extending CSR support to Fazl Ali College and appreciated the company’s prompt response to the district administration’s request for educational infrastructure. He also acknowledged the leadership of the college principal and the efforts of the college authorities and district administration in completing the project on time.
Verma stressed that the value of the equipment lies in its effective utilisation, saying that modern teaching aids such as computers and interactive smart boards should be used to enhance the quality of education and support innovative teaching learning practices. He noted that the facilities could also be utilised for training programmes and other educational activities, urging the college to maximise their use for the benefit of students and the wider community.
He expressed hope that BPCL would continue supporting developmental initiatives in the district through its CSR programmes, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare and skill development, and said he was pleased that the project had been successfully completed.
In his brief address, Abishek Paul, Manager (Sales), Nagaland and Manipur, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), said the teaching aids and IT equipment were provided under BPCL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative with the aim of strengthening the teaching learning process and promoting digital literacy.
He said the company hopes the All-in-One PCs, interactive smart boards and PA lectern system will enhance academic excellence, encourage innovation and equip students to excel in an increasingly technology driven world.
Paul said BPCL’s commitment to “Energising Lives” goes beyond supplying fuel and energy, as the company seeks to empower communities and contribute to society through initiatives in education, healthcare, skill development, environmental sustainability and community welfare. He stated that education is one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and reaffirmed BPCL’s commitment to supporting sustainable development initiatives across the Northeast region.
He thanked the District Administration, Mokokchung, for implementing the project and congratulated the management, faculty and students of Fazl Ali College on the inauguration, expressing confidence that the new facilities would contribute meaningfully to the institution’s academic growth and help nurture future leaders and innovators.
Principal of Fazl Ali College, Dr I Wati Imchen, expressed gratitude to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for supporting the college under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by providing modern teaching aids and IT equipment. He said the All-in-One PCs, interactive smart boards and PA lectern system would transform classrooms into digitally enabled learning spaces and strengthen the college’s academic environment.
Imchen also thanked Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer for inaugurating the facilities and appreciated the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma and the efforts of the district administration. He expressed hope for continued collaboration with BPCL to further strengthen the college’s educational infrastructure.
The programme was chaired by Dr E Benrithung Patton, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, who also delivered the welcome address.
