Jacob Zhimomi, Minister, PHED & Cooperation encouraged students on Friday stating that India is producing great minds and there is a huge demand for Indians across all industries globally.
The Minister was speaking as the special guest at an event organised by Naga Students’ Federation where the NSF acknowledged and celebrated the achievements of 2023 HSLC and HSSLC homeland toppers today at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima.
Zhimomi congratulated the toppers and mentioned that 70% of students have made it through in the 2023 board examination and said, there is nothing to worry for the 30% as it is not the close chapter of life but encouraged them to work harder.
Emphasising on the essentiality of hard work, he underlined the lines from the scripture – “to go to heaven is a narrow road and is very tough but whoever have conviction and will, pass through” – and challenged the students to work hard and become one’s own masters in life. He said that to become somebody is not easy, it takes practice, patience and a lot of prayers but it only takes a split seconds to do something bad. Zhimomi also challenged the students to “kill it” as they go higher and stated, “once you go higher, once you go to be stronger, temptations will be on equal scale to lead you away, to distract you from the right path.”
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“If you don’t make a plan with conviction consistency hardwork you will not be able to achieve desired results”, the minister added.
He also highlighted the important of prayer and said, as Christians we should not place our belief on merits “because it is 10% merit and 90% grace of God” and urged the students to know one’s own root, capacity, calibre, talent and pray ceaselessly adding “to jump at a desired level you have to bend down” in sincerity and dignity.
“Knowledge is acquired from textbook, but knowledge alone will not make you prosper only with the intervention of almighty God who give wisdom will make you somebody,” the minister added.
He further warned the students and parents about ‘foreign education’ and said, “Indian education system is one of the best educations in the world” adding that “India is the best destination now producing great minds, people want to buy our intelligence”.
Zhimomi also informed that there are 90,000 unemployed youths enrolled as per September 2022 enrolment which is a huge challenge for the government and said, one of the fundamental concerns of the state government is to see that the educated youth be placed in the right place where they are deem fit.
Vevotolu Kezo who ranked 387, UPSC 2023 sharing her success story encouraged the students not to be afraid to dream big and said, the bigger the dream the bigger efforts and work will be required and urged the students to accept and embrace challenges as “the view at the top of the mountain is worthwhile and satisfying”.
“Nothing worthwhile comes easy” she added.
66 HSLC toppers, 33 HSSLC toppers (14 Science students, 18 arts and 1 commerce) and Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (COHSEM) were felicitated at the exclusive felicitation programme of Naga toppers. MLA, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, MLA, Naiba Konyak and Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, Secretary General of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) also attended the event.
Mhonchumo Lotha, Pastor, Lotha Baptist Church pronounced the invocation, word of gratitude was delivered by Medovi Rhi, Secretary Education, NSF while benediction was pronounced by Fr. Megoriekho Thomas Punyü, Asst. Parish Priest, Mary Help of Christian Parish Cathedral, Kohima and speech on behalf of toppers was delivered by Arolü Phesao HSLC 2023 (Rank 9 NBSE).