Shillong, Dec 27: The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) had a distinguished visitor on January 3, 2009.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, was the Chief Guest at the 96th Indian Science Congress held at NEHU 15 years back.
Pramod Tandon, who was the NEHU Vice Chancellor, said on phone on Friday from Lucknow that he was informed a day before that the former PM would not be able to come to Shillong from Guwahati as he had to undergo bypass surgery.
“However, as he was committed to the welfare of the region, the next day he attended the event as chief guest”, said Tandon, who was also a member of the National Advisory Council.
After inaugurating the science congress, Singh addressed a press conference at NEHU before leaving for Delhi, a gesture appreciated by journalists who otherwise are not fortunate to get a prime minister to give answers to their various queries.
Despite the scheduled heart surgery in New Delhi, he also found time to interact with the journalists, Tandon said.
“For me Shillong is as much an adopted home as Guwahati and this entire region. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to represent the people of Assam and the North-East in Parliament since 1991. I have always been over-whelmed by the warmth and grace of the affection and hospitality I have received from the people of the North-East. As I have often said, for our sub-continent this is the region from where the sun first rises. I am sure that our developmental initiatives will ensure that the sun will rise and shine forever on the North-East region”, Singh had said while inaugurating the science congress.
According to Tandon, it was not easy to organise the science congress but within the short period of time it was made possible and the positive aspect was the presence of the prime minister of the country.
Former DGP, CS remember interaction
“It was a short visit, I was among those who were there at the Upper Shillong Helipad to receive him. He asked me how are you . I also wished him, and then he drove to NEHU from helipad”, former DGP Kulbir Krishan said on phone from Delhi, while recollecting his amiable nature.
The then Chief Minister late Donkupar Roy, and former Governor RS Mooshahary among others received him at the helipad.
Former Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal had accompanied Singh.
Former Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee was also present when Singh visited Shillong .
“It was a brief visit and the function was at NEHU. However, I had the opportunity to meet him twice in Delhi and he insisted to tap the power potential of Meghalaya”, Chatterjee said on phone from Kolkata.
“I was also posted under the central finance ministry when he was the union finance minister. As Tuli paper mill in Nagaland was incurring loss, he desires it to be closed down but in his file notings, politically he wanted the mill to go on”, Chatterjee said.
Singh was instrumental in establishing IIM in Shillong.
Tandon,who was the project director of IIM-Shillong, said the former P.M was interested in the overall development of the region.
“We have to celebrate his life as he had special love for the region and his contribution was immense in the form of RTI, Right to Education, implementation of Food Security Act ,MGNREGS, and Look East Policy among others”, he said.
Tandon also recalled that the former prime minister was a punctual person as it was evident when as secretary to National Academy of Sciences, he invited Singh to IIT Mumbai.
“Be punctual, I shame the host by reaching early”, Tandon quoted Singh.
Though the former PM used to allot 40 to 45 minutes when appointments were sought, the meeting with him extended to one or two hours, Tandon added.
“In conclusion, let me once again say that I am delighted that this session of the congress is being held in Shillong. Our Government has developed and implemented special packages for supporting science education and research in colleges and universities in the North Eastern Region. 58 colleges in the region have been accorded a special package of Rs 50 lakh for strengthening their laboratory infrastructure. About 240 fellowships exclusive to the region for promotion of research for various categories have been instituted. A special package for biotechnology related research has been launched. Science-society linkages and activities have been launched under the National Mission on Bamboo Applications. I sincerely hope this special session in the Indian Science congress on S&T issues for the North Eastern Region will come forward with brand new ideas for the promotion of science in this region”, Singh had said during the opening of the event.
