Stillwell Road to boost India-Thailand-Myanmar ties, says noted educationist

Namsai (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], Feb.1 (ANI): The Stillwell Road from Ledo to Kunming in China once complete would give a new thrust to existing good relations between India and neighbouring nations Myanmar and Thailand, said noted educationist and social reformer Thanapat Choompolsil today.

Thanapat, who arrived here from Thailand on a week-long visit, to receive a honouris causa degree from Arunachal University of Studies (AUS) during its second convocation day, said he always feels at home in North East India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh as the state is like his nation, known as 'Land of Smiles'.

"The road would strengthen the existing connectivity among the peoples of these nations, having uncanny similarities, right from smiles, look, life style, food habits for which I always feel at home whenever I am here," he said on his third visit to the state and his fourth to North East India. He had led a cultural team to attend the inaugural function of Golden Pagoda here in 2010.

The Stilwell Road or Ledo Road, from Ledo in India to Kunming in China via Myanmar connecting the Burma Road beyond Bhamo by allied forces from December 1942 to May 1945 for military operation against the Japanese forces in North Burma, was left in bad shape.

But this strategic road, which could link South East Asian nations where 50 per cent of world's rich live, has been given a momentum under the Government of India's 'Act East' policy.

Education plays a vital role for development, said Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dr.Chowna Mein today, adding Namsai would become hottest education hub soon and Arunachal University of Studies is its proof.

With available road and air connectivity, railway line in offing and water-IT connectivity promised, this district headquarters is all set to be centre of socio-cultural-educational growth of the state, he told the students passing out on second convocation day of AUS here that the coming future belongs to them for which they should be ready to welcome.

Referring to the state governmentP's 'Dream Change Policy', Mein exhorted ICAR and VKV for more activities to tap bio-diversity and called upon the youth to say 'No to drugs' "lest we get extinct".

The AUS conferred honouris causa degrees on Choompolsil, Everester Anu,Tine and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju.

"AUS has made our dream come true by being among the global universities," Planning Parliamentary Secretary Chow Zingnu Namchoom said, and told the students that the world is open to you all.

New Namsai district under the guidance of Chief Minister Pema Khandu & DyCM Mein is growing fast. But the district being in the grip of drugs, while Tezu and Papum Pare are in the grip of HIV, he exhorted the GenNext to be AUS ambassador to protect the future citizens of India.

World Education Mission chairman Kamal Lochan Agarwal, in his address, advised the students about to receive graduation and PG degrees to do all good things in life.

With principled value-based education, culture and area-specific education received from AUS, through your performances prove yourself as true alumnus as 'Risers in life', he said with conviction, adding that the AUS activities have been generating one crore per month in Namsai.

This is a great day, VC Prof V K Kwatra said and asked the students to rise higher in life. He lauded Agarwal for whose whole hearted support AUS made landmark growth in last five years. As the AUS offers education with a difference, "do what you love the most as there is no word failure if you are true to be yourself. "Decide what you want to be, what you want to contribute to the society and success would embrace you," he said with conviction.

Sobhit University chancellor Kumar Sekhar Vijeyaendra, engaged in developing new paradigm for skill development, terming the event a new journey said that completion of education creates the feeling to settle down.

"Don't settle down, move on, learn, relearn as a continuing process without saying no to yourself to fly where you wish by ensuring your feet get deep rooted to the place you belong to contribute," he said with conviction.

The guests gave away degrees to total 638 students including 398 under graduates and 220 PG besides 16 gold medals as toppers in their respective subjects. (ANI)