Guwahati, June 28 : Region’s premier biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak in collaboration with Chandrasingh Rongpi Memorial High School (CRMHS) organised a day-long student felicitation and a career counselling at the Community Resource Center at Chandrasing Rongpi Village in Kohora of Karbi Anglong district of Assam on June 23.

Twenty-six students who have passed HSLC and HSSLC examinations  this year from Diring and Kohora areas under the Kaziranga Kohora Landscape, participated in the event that was graced by distinguished resource persons -- Uttam Teron from Parijat Academy in Guwahati, Krishna Rongpi from JDSG College, Bokakha, and Jirsong Rongpi from Harlongbi Velongbi College, Deithor, Karbi Anglong.

The  guests  were felicitated at the beginning of the programme by Swapan Nath. Dr Firoz Ahmed, Head of Tiger Research and Conservation Division of Aaranyak set the ball rolling for the day delivering the welcome address.

Participating students who did well in the HSLC and HSSLC examinations were felicitated with a Karbi poho and a certificate of appreciation each. The felicitation was coordinated by Joshna Terangpi, Rangsina Phangcho, Purno Singnar and Kristi Bora.

The event featured three interactive sessions for the students. The first session on “Preparing for the future, path, approach, and self-initiative” was conducted by Uttam Teron, where he exhorted upon the students to  try hard, be honest, thrive to learn, remain disciplined and punctual if they wanted to realise their dreams.

The second session on "Career Planning - What? How? & Why?" was conducted by Krishna Rongpi and where he told the students that career planning and education  during the students days were the corner stones for a successful career. The last session was "Career paths and scope in Arts, Science, and Commerce" was conducted  by Jirsong Rongp who shared various  scopes in educational, professional spheres based on educational qualification and choices respectively.

One of the participating students, Anikaso Englengpi said, “We are very lucky to get the opportunity to attend a career counselling event which is an eye opener for us and has  broadened the scope for our career options and flagged importance of education”.

Another participants Sivoram Terang lauded the career counselling event and said, “Proper career counselling and guidance are very important for the students and Aaranyak is doing a wonderful job in this regard”.

The event was attended by  some distinguished guests including Santosh Rongpi, President of Karbi Students Association (KSA), Kaziranga District Committee, Horiram Engti, social worker of Kohora, Bishnu Upadhyay, Headmaster of CRMMES and Moina Kramsapi, an entrepreneur and  three Rong Asar (village headmen) Romesh Tokbi of Englepathar village, Sivoram Terang of Sivoram Terang village and Gulapsing Engti of Bakring Engti village. Several village elders and representatives were also present.

The primary objective of the event was to address career-related issues and guide students in understanding various career options and educational qualifications required. The whole initiative is supported by IUCN, Kfw.

Aaranyak team members Jayanta Kumar Roy, Sarlongjon Teron, Joshna Terangpi, Beauty Terangpi, Avinash Phangcho, Sarlongki Teron, Rangsina Phangcho, Purno Timung, Prokash Engti and Kristi Bora worked tirelessly to organise the event splendidly.

The initiative highlights the importance of community-driven efforts in bridging education-career gaps in semi-urban and rural areas.

Aaranyak is committed towards conservation of biodiversity, ecosystem and supporting the indigenous communities through alternative sustainable livelihood activities, education and awareness programmes.