Gangtok, Mar 11 ( ) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation of Khangchendzonga State versity here on Friday. During his hectic schedule he also granted audience to 11 associations of Sikkim’s Comm ties, including Gurung, Lepchas, Thami, and others. Subsequently, he attended the lunch hosted by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Goley) at Samman Bhawan. CM was present with Education Minister and all other Ministers, MLAs and a few Secretaries to Govt of Sikkim. Vice President also interacted with Medical students, who have returned home from Ukraine due to war in the country. They requested him to help them in pursuing their studies further. Don’t lose heart, situation will improve, said VP most optimistically. The students with Online studies still preponderant on their minds, preferred regular studies. They informed the VP about State Govt helping them and warm welcome accorded on arrival, to those who landed in Mumbai and also those who landed in Delhi. They shared reasons behind studies in Ukraine. Culture Deptt artists presented folk dances of Sikkim at Raj Bhawan for entertainment. Vice President appreciated the idea of State Govt to have State versity. He also appreciated the setting up of the Sikkim Education Reforms Commission (SERC) headed by the Chief Minister to ensure sincere implementation of National Education Policy, 2020. “I compliment the state government for its proactive role in shaping Sikkim as the educational hub in the North East”, he said ‘.I am very pleased to lay the foundation stone of the Kangchenjunga State versity (KSU) today. This is the first ever versity of the State Government and I am sure that this institution will set new benchmarks and become an exemplar in imparting quality education. As you all are aware, versities and other higher education institutions play a critical role in nation-building and taking India to greater heights in the education sector. In laying the foundation stone today for this state versity, we are collectively laying the foundation for a more prosperous, developed Sikkim where learning becomes a key lever for sustainable progress. NN SHK2348
