A total of 1900 students from 15 campuses spread across the districts of Ri Bhoi, North Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, West Jaiñtia Hills, East Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts graduated from Aspire Meghalaya at functions held in their respective school premises yesterday.
The Aspire Meghalaya programme places youth engagement, talent identification and career aspirations at the heart of its interventions. A key objective of the programme is to assess training gaps and talent potential in seen and previously unseen skill and talent domains amongst adolescents and young adults across the State.
Speaking to the graduation function in Umroi, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Sports & Youth Affairs Dr Vijay Kumar D said, “One of the reasons Aspire Meghalaya was conceived was to instil in each of you the kind of confidence that will embolden you to articulate your point of view without hesitation no matter who or how big your audience is. But it is very important for that confidence to be backed by a set of values and a sound belief system.”
He lauded the efforts of the Avenues Team for their commitment and dedication towards delivering these programmes across districts including some of the most remote areas of the State. He added that the State Government will introduce more initiatives for youth that will provide them with an ecosystem that connects innate talents with skilling opportunities and employability-building interventions.
Chisemchi N Sangma, Class 10, Ferrando Higher Secondary School, Nongrah, delivered a testimony. “The best lesson I learned from Aspire is Leadership which does not mean that we have numerous badges of recognition attached to our name, but to recognise and practice our values. Only then can we become leaders, in our households, in our communities and of ourselves.” She went on to say that the lesson which will remain close to her heart is to think outside the box. “When you do ordinary things in an extraordinary manner you will have the attention of the world,” she added.
The graduation songs sung by the students were the highlight of these functions across districts, and from each campus emerged a special song with a beautiful message from the young graduates.
The campuses that graduated this week included Ferrando Higher Secondary School, Nongrah and Little Flower Higher Secondary School, Mawbri in Ri Bhoi; Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Mendal and Bajengdoba Higher Secondary School in North Garo Hills; Pioneers’ Secondary School and Captain Williamson Memorial Government College in Baghmara, South Garo Hills; Maharam Government Higher Secondary School and SngapSyiem College in Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills; Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai in West Jaintia Hills; and St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School, Marbisu in East Khasi Hills.
It may be mentioned that 434 students from Maharam Government Higher Secondary School, Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills; and Karukol Higher Secondary School in South Garo Hills will be graduating on 9th August 2022, by which time over 7,000 adolescent youths and young adults will have participated in this year’s edition of Aspire Meghalaya since May. By September, the programme is expected to impact 10,000 young adults in 60+ campuses across 12 districts of the State.
