On the final day of her four-day visit to Meghalaya, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, visited the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram School in Sohra on Sunday.
During her visit, the Union minister paid floral tributes at the statues of Swami Ramakrishnanda and Swami Vivekananda. She was shown the mission’s vocational training facilities, where around 100 women are being trained in weaving free of cost.
Swami Anuragananda, secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Sohra, shared that Sitharaman has long been familiar with the institution’s work. “Being one of the oldest centres in the North East, she was eager to learn about the history, growth and current challenges of the mission, as well as the various activities it undertakes,” he said according to a press release. “She expressed a keen interest in meeting the women entrepreneurs and was deeply moved by the empowerment initiatives on the campus. We also gave her an overview of our work in healthcare, education, community relief among other activities.”
Sitharaman also inquired about the many distinguished alumni of the institution. Swami Anuragananda recalled her interest in legendary figures such as BB Lyngdoh, former Chief Minister of Meghalaya; GG Swell, renowned parliamentarian; Donkupar Roy, another former CM, and other prominent leaders, bureaucrats and technocrats who were shaped by the mission’s values.
Welcoming the VIP were several dignitaries, including the school’s president Theilin Phanbuh, recipient of the Padma Shri in 2006 for her work in women’s upliftment. Also present were former teachers and staff, including Lolin Lyndem, one of the school’s oldest alumni at age 90 who had served both as a student and a teacher.
Ramakrishna Mission School Sohra recently completed 100 years of service in the region and Sitharaman planted a sapling on the campus towards the end of her visit.
