The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig (Dr) B D Mshra (retd) attended the 49th Conference of the Governors and Lt Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on Monday.
The inaugural session was addressed by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
There was discussion on higher education in state universities and skill development for employability and presentations made by the Secretary, Higher Education and the Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.
The Governors and Lt Governors presented on the steps taken on the report ‘Rajyapal – Vikas Ke Rajdoot: Catalytic Role of Governors as Agents for Change in Society’.
Taking part in the discussion, the Arunachal Governor shared his views and observation during his tour, mostly by road to various districts of the State.
The Governor informed that there is no state university in the State of Arunachal Pradesh and the higher and technical educational institutions in the state are run by the central government.
Sharing the views of the students from institutes of higher education in the State during his interactions with students, which he has been conducting since March 2018, the Governor suggested measures for improving quality of higher education, national ranking and campus placement opportunities, within the existing human and financial resources of the premiere educational institutions in the State.
He also stressed on revising the syllabi at regular intervals.
The Governor mentioned about the adoption of villages by the higher and technical educational institutions in the State.
Informing the august gathering that there are nine private universities in the State, the Governor said that the State Government has enacted the Arunachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions (Regulatory Commission) Act, 2017 as notified on April 25, 2017.
Accordingly, the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission would be functional to monitor the existing private universities and then the issues pertaining to them and the proposed private universities in the State.
Briefing on best practices in Raj Bhavan, the Governor said that to translate words into action, the Governor initiated a mission mode Swachchata Abhiyan and named it as ‘Hamara Elan Swachhata aur Nari Utthan’.
He also informed on Swachhata Award at district level to those who maintain cleanliness at their house, surroundings and shop frontage.
Replacing lighting system with LED lights, cashless transaction, felicitation of students at Raj Bhavan for academic excellence, blood donation camp and regular interactions with students from institutes of higher education on preparing oneself towards entrepreneurship and self-employment, campus placement, national security etc were also mentioned in his remark on best practices in the Raj Bhavan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the opening session and spoke at length about how Governors could leverage their experience in different walks of life, so that people derive maximum benefit of various central development schemes and initiatives.
He said the institution of Governor has a pivotal role to play within the federal structure and constitutional framework of the country.
The Prime Minister said that the Governors of states with significant tribal population can help in ensuring that the tribal communities benefit from Government initiatives in fields such as education, sports and financial inclusion.
He said the tribal communities had played a key role in the freedom struggle, and this should be recognized and recorded for posterity through avenues such as digital museums.
The Prime Minister suggested that planning for the 50th Governors’ Conference next year should begin immediately.
This effort should focus on making this annual event even more productive.
Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog Dr Rajiv Kumar, gave a presentation on flagship programmes, while Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant, presented on aspiration districts, which included Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.
National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval briefed the Governors on internal security scenario.
There were presentations on state universities and on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Apart from the Governors and Lt Governors of all states and union territories, the Vice President; Prime Minister; Union Ministers of Home Affairs; External Affairs; Human Resource Development; Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; Minster of State (I/C) of Ministry of Culture and Vice Chairman and CEO of NITI Aayog and other senior officials from various ministries participated in the conference.