News

Janmabhoomi Newspaper (10th December, 2019) has covered an article about the the Mobility Distribution Camp which was held on the World Disability Day on 7th December, 2019 at Ratna Nidhi's Jaipur foot centre.

All India Radio has also aired about the said event for 5-7 mins on December 8 sent on whatsapp group.

Former Nagaland governor(2014-19) and member of national water commission P.B. Acharya Tuesday inaugurated 'The Mission Million Books’ for distribution to various schools at a programme held at Rotary Club Dimapur after his wife Mrs. Kavita Acharya unveiled the Rotary Club hearse dedicated to citizens of Dimapur.

The hearse project was headed by Rotarian R.S. Panesar which managed contributions from public of Dimapur including the Rotary Club of Dimapur. Enlightening on the project, Rotarian RS Panesar said despite the initial fund restraints, the Rotary district 3240 Foundation(Dimapur), its council of governors and public of Dimapur contributed generously towards purchase of the hearse.

Later Acharya released the book distribution under 'Mission Million Book' , for the poor and needy of various schools. It is a project of Indian National Fellowship Centre, (INFC) Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust based in Mumbai in collaboration with the North Mumbai chapter of Rotary Club.

Some 12,000 books, from children story books to medical and engineering text books, were later distributed to representatives of various schools in Nagaland.

Speaking at the book distribution programme , Acharya lamented on the problem in Nagaland despite having over 2000 schools, five universities, and a young population comprising of at least 60% of the population. He said educational institutions need to focus on preparing the youth to be self dependent. Acharya reminded that Nagaland is rich but people are poor because they live under the delusion that they are backward tribals. He said society cannot progress if people choose to remain totally dependent.

He said the education system in the country was formed by the colonial rulers to serve the British raj. He said it was high time Indians took pride in their rich history and heritage.

Acharya said that a major flaw in the educational system was that it produced people who merely sought to be achievers only for earning their own livelihood. He categorically remarked, "an achiever who is not a giver is a looter", while urging people to think of ways of contributing to the society instead of self aggrandizement. Acharya also lauded Prime Minister Modi for his bold leadership in bringing the Naga problem to near its logical conclusion.

He also lauded Modi for abrogation of Article 370 and the recent landmark Ayodhya verdict, saying that these represented the identity of India.

Rotary International director Kamal Sanghvi, spoke on Rotary Club’s ambitious aim to eradicate illiteracy by 2025. In his speech Sanghvi pointed out that DIET is rudimentary and not properly functional system. He also offered to organise teachers training to the state government and also establish e-learning facilities to help students be at par with their counterparts from tier 1 cities in India. He also elaborated the acronym TEACH; T-teach, E-e-learning, A-adult education, C- child development and H-happy schools.

Guest of honour, Geoffrey Yaden, Editor-in-Chief of Nagaland Post lauded Rotary Club Dimapur for its various welfare projects including Indian National Fellowship Centre, (INFC) Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust, the North Mumbai Rotary Club and Dimapur Rotary Club for their contributions in serving the society.

The Editor recalled that Acharya had organised visits by medical teams, academicians and entrepreneurs to Nagaland during his tenure as governor. Yaden also said Acharya has the distinction of having different stints as governor of six states- Nagaland, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. He said though P.B.Acharya had left Nagaland yet he still had Nagaland in his heart and that was why he still wants to help the people of the state in whatever capacity. He said Acharya is truly an ambassador of the Nagas whom he has known when he frequented Nagaland since the mid 60s.

Principal Director of Education, Government of Nagaland urged Shanavas C urged school representatives present to use the books judiciously. He briefly touched upon the ratio of government teachers to students which currently stands at 1:7 adding that it does not augur well. He also briefly spoke on the Communitisation Act of 2002 which empowered the village authority to take care of the affairs of villages which included even education.

President of Mumbai Rotary Club, Dr Palep and chairman of INFC Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust Rajiv Mehta spoke on the yeoman service rendered to the people by the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust in various areas. Assistant director of school education Nellayapan also briefly spoke on the occasion.

Other highlights of the programme were: welcome address by president of Dimapur Rotary Club, Ashok Agarwal, distribution of books by dignitaries, vote of thanks by president of Rotary Mumbai North, P Shah, and felicitation of dignitaries by Rotary Club Dimapur and Inner Wheel Club. The programme was chaired by Rotarian Chandu Agarwal.

Rotary Club of Dimapur will be inaugurating the MISSION MILLION BOOKS exhibition on 12th November, 2019.

A joint initiative with the Indian National Fellowship Center (INFC), Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust and Rotary Club of Bombay North, over 12000 books will be displayed at the exhibition and donated to Government Schools and Colleges in Nagaland.

The Indian Fellowship center, Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust, Rotary Club of Dimapur and Rotary Club of Bombay North cordially invites you to the inaugural ceremony of the Mission Million Books Fifth Exhibition at Nagaland on 12th November, 2019.