17th Nov 2017 10:11:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Vivekananda Kendra has completed 40 years of its establishment in Arunachal from when it opened its first school in Sher, West Kameng in 1977.  The VKVs has been instrumental in not only disseminating education to remote Arunachal but also ensuring holistic growth of the local populace especially at a time when the state was an isolated entity. The lifelong contribution made by teachers and life workers of VKV who took pains to open schools in remote areas of state when there were no basic public facilities cannot be expressed in words.

Looking at the larger picture and connecting the dots, it is heartening to note the complimentary roles of Christian Missionaries on one hand and on the other hand, the roles of missionaries with orientation towards Hinduism.

After the Sino-Indo war of 1962, Arunachal Pradesh benefited a lot from primary and secondary education imparted by the Rama Krishna Mission (RKM) School of Rama Krishna Math and Mission Belur Math and later on, Vivekananda Kendra buttressed the efforts in covering more students through Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya commonly referred as VKV, a school which is set up under the project Vivekananda Kendra Siksha Prasar Vibhag.

Most of the first and second generation officials of the state government are products from the Rama Krishna Mission and most of the officials that we encounter these days are either from VKV or from RKM.

What sets apart these missionary institutes and the teaching faculty members from government run institutes and other private establishments is the missionary zeal of the faculty members and commitment of the managements.

And also, missionary organizations take up educating people as a mission to build nation whereas private institute treat it as money-spinning factories. In so far as government institutes are concerned, officials act more as parasites ripping-off salary for years, without accountability for students’ performance.

Without reading into the sub-text of religious orientation, discerning civil society organizations and leaders must appreciate and acknowledge the silent yet effective steps adopted by church missionaries in spreading higher education in this far-flung frontier state where native teachers are avoiding postings.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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