Himanta Biswa Sarma lays foundation stone of Government Model College in Chirang

KOKRAJHAR: State Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday laid the foundation stone for the Government Model College at Koila Moila under Bijni Civil Sub Division, Chirang in the presence of Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member (CEM), Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

Addressing the gathering, minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Today is very special day for all the citizens of BTR, as from today itself, we are starting the construction of Government Model College at Koila Moila, a very remote area under Chirang district with an aim of providing quality higher education to the students this area. In a government college, government arranges everything right from appointment of teachers, staff and construction of buildings in the interest of public. Therefore, all the students, poor and rich, of this area will now have proper scope for pursuing education in their locality."

He hoped that this government college would be a premiere and much-sought after in the area in the years to come. "It is pleasure in being able to establish such a college as it will help render better education to the people of Nichima area," he said. The minister further informed that the State Government would spend Rs 16 crore in the first financial year for the college that would come up with academic building, professors' quarters, principal's residence and boundary wall.

He hoped that the construction of building for the college would be completed within 18 months and after its completion of construction work, they would start classes for both arts and science streams in the college. He further informed that along with the establishment of model colleges in Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri districts, they had decided to set up such colleges each in all 40 constituencies of BTC for bringing total change in the education sector. He also disclosed about their plan to construct new stadiums in each district of BTR. On the occasion, he declared the name of this government college as Nichima Model College.

In his speech, Pramod Boro said that this was a historic day for the people of Koila Moila area as they never expected such institutions in their area. He hoped that this college would be able to give good education so as to create quality human resources in the area. He further said, "Earlier, the students of this area had to walk 25 km distance for college education as there were no colleges in area except Bongaigaon College and Bijni College. But things are now changing because of the establishment of government model college in the area." He thanked Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for their tremendous support to the BTR authority. He assured of providing bicycles to 22,000 male students from the BTC.

Abhiram Mahanayak, Deputy Speaker of BTCLA, Ranjit Basumatary, EM, BTC for Forest, Deputy Commissioner of Chirang, Gautam Talukdar, Superintendent of Police Sudhakar Singh, and other dignitaries were also present in the programme.