Shillong, Nov 19: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday inaugurated the Ramakrishna Mission College in Sohra, the first such institution in the Northeast and the second college in the town after Sohra Government College.

Affiliated with Captain Williamson Sangma State University, the college will initially offer Arts and Science streams and aims to provide accessible and value-based education to students from Sohra and nearby rural areas.

Sangma stressed that investing in human capital is the government’s top priority, noting that infrastructure holds little meaning without people’s development. Despite Meghalaya spending 15% of its annual budget—₹3,600 crore—on education, he said structural challenges built over decades require continued reform.

The Chief Minister said the government has begun rationalising schools and is creating a dedicated system to support ad-hoc and SSA teachers for better stability. He assured full support to the Ramakrishna Mission, announcing electricity for all schools and phased action to improve road connectivity.

Sangma urged all stakeholders to prioritise students’ welfare and encouraged learners to uphold values such as hard work, discipline, and gratitude, in line with Swami Vivekananda’s teachings.

• Dipanjana D