Shillong, July 13: A century-old institution in Sohra, proud of shaping the future of several luminaries of Meghalaya, on Sunday hosted the country’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was on her fourth and final day of visit to Meghalaya.
At the historic Ramakrishna Mission Ashram School, one of the oldest institutions of North Eastern region, paid floral tributes at the statues of Swami Ramakrishnanda and Swami Vivekananda.
The union minister has long been familiar with the institution’s work, said Swami Anuragananda, secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Sohra.
“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.
Sitharaman was shown the Mission’s vocational training facilities, where around 100 women are being trained in weaving free of cost.
“She expressed a keen interest in meeting the women entrepreneurs and was deeply moved by the empowerment initiatives on the campus,” Swami Anuragananda added.
“We also gave her an overview of our work in healthcare, education, community relief among other activities.”
Meanwhile, the union finance minister expressed her interest in legendary figures such as former chief minister a pioneer of coalition politics in India BB Lyngdoh, renowned parliamentarian GG Swell, former chief minister Donkupar Roy, and other prominent figures, who were shaped by the Mission’s values, said the Mission secretary.
The school’s president Theilin Phanbuh, a recipient of the Padma Shri in 2006 for her work for uplift of women, was among present to welcome the finance minister.
Ninety-year-old Lolin Lyndem, an alumni and also a former teacher of the school, was also present on the occasion.
Sitharaman planted a sapling on the campus to mark her visit to the school, which recently completed 100 years of service in the region.
