Ukhrul: In what was a big sigh of relief for the students of Pettigrew college, the lone government college in Ukhrul district, Manipur’s Transport minister Khashim Vashum officially handed over Manipur State Transport (MST) mini bus to the college authorities in the state government’s efforts to provide transport facilities to the students regularly on Wednesday.
Transport minister Khashim formally cut the inaugural ribbon and handed over the key of the 17-seater Force Traveller mini-bus to KAS Soreishang, principal of Pettigrew college in the presence of local MLA Ram Muivah, Manipur Transport Director Dr. Nivedita Lairenlakpam, Joint Director of Transport Delina,
and various other officials of the department.
Speaking at the handing over event held at the college campus, Transport, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry minister Khashim Vashum said that the initiative to provide MST mini bus at free of cost to the educational institutions in the state was the first of its kind in the Manipur government’s record.
Making a clarion call to the college authorities to take it as their own asset, Khashim said effective today this has now become the sole property of the collage and urged to utilise it properly and make the best use of it for the welfare of the students fraternity.
“You are fortunate to be the first beneficiary of these facilities as scores of government departments including colleges has been demanding the MST mini bus,” he stated while assuring his committed support to the college.
The cabinet minister also acknowledged and lauded the support shown by chief minister Biren Singh as well as the cooperation given by the transport department in the initiatives.
Stating that state government is committed to revamp the education sector in the state, he exhorted the students to give their best efforts in their studies and turn their dreams into reality through strong determination and hard work.
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On the ongoing academic block building construction of the college, he said that the work is going on at full swing. “Post the full completion of the infrastructural works, we will strive towards upgrading it to the level of a university,” the minister added.
He also urged all concerned stakeholders to extend their fullest cooperation in order that the work is executed well on time.
Attended by college faculties, students and leaders of CSOs Ukhrul, Khashim also handed over Rs. 25,000 to tide over the expenses of operating the MST vehicle in the initial days.
Dr. Nivedita Lairenlakpam, IAS, director, Trasport department, Govt of Manipur stated that government will always be there to provide assistance in any possible way to upgrade Ukhrul district, particularly in the field of education, and pinned hoped that the number of enrollment in the college will increase and minimise the dropout.
Delivering a short speech, KAS Soreishang, principal Pettigrew college expressed his gratitude to chief minister N Biren Singh for translating the assurance he had made during his recent visit to the institute, to provide MST bus, into reality.
He also thanked the Transport minister, local MLA and Director of transport for making the dream come true.
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