IMPHAL, May 9: `The insurgents do not spare even the religious leaders from extortion, it is a sin to terrorize them and demand money, please stop such actions,`™ Deputy Home Minister Gaikhangam said at the silver jubilee celebration of St Xavier`™s School at Oksongbung, Moirang today.
The Minister who attended as the chief guest further said that from among the private schools, the mission schools serves with a purpose. There are government schools, but the private schools play a vital role, however from among them, the ones which build up human capital the most and with a true dedication are the missionary schools.
Education is a wide spectrum and the lessons taught at schools and colleges are only a small part of education. Education without imparting a sense of spiritual value is not holistic education and it seems that today, the people have forgotten this, we need to inculcate spiritual and moral values to the children for a better society of tomorrow, he said.
He said that even among the missionary schools, Jesuits Educational Society and Catholic Educational Society. The founders and staffs of the missionary schools are Reverends, Sisters, Fathers and not ordinary people, but persons with a cause. The trouble and stopping of classes due to demands from various quarters resulting in hindering the running of the schools is quite unfortunate, such disturbance should not be caused in future and appealed to all concerned to abstain from such actions.
The missionaries don`™t take the schools as a profit making centre and the unreasonable troubles which are meted out to them are not reasonable, he said.
He mentioned that Father Frigidian Shenoy Aranhas who founded St Xavier School was a true visionary. The school has been producing brilliant students and helping the people of the nearby areas in holistic development of the child. The school area which measures 19 acres provides a space for spots fields and other physical activities.
A long journey is there for the St Xavier School, more is to be achieved and the 25th year jubilee is just a milestone and more needs to be achieved, Gaikhangam said.
The Headmistress of the school, Reverend Nirmala Beck stated that the school could have progressed much more if the problems arising out of insurgency were not there.
The function was attended and blessed by Reverend Dominic Lumon , Archbishop of Imphal Diocese, Reverend Arul Susaimanickham; Chairman of North East Jesuit Educational Society. MLA of Moirang, Mairenbam Prithiviraj attended as the guest of honor.
As part of the jubilee function, Gaikhangam inaugurated a library block at the school. A mini-weather station constructed inside the school was also inaugurated by MLA Prithiviraj.