Tura, March 30: The NSS PG Unit of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Tura Campus, in collaboration with the Department of Agribusiness Management and Food Technology (ABMFT) and William Initiative Schools, conducted a large-scale awareness programme at Ballonggre village, focusing on career guidance and child nutrition under the theme “Swasth Yuva, Sashakt Yuva.”

The programme held on March 28 drew participation from nearly 200 children and their parents, reflecting strong community engagement in an initiative aimed at bridging the gap between education and rural realities.

The event opened with a prayer led by Pastor Maxfield Marak of Ballonggre Baptist Church, followed by a welcome address from Dr Gino A. Sangma, who underscored the need to connect education with real-world opportunities. He stressed that children from rural backgrounds require the right guidance and exposure to compete across diverse fields.

Prof. Deepak Bhagat, Programme Officer of the NSS PG Unit and Head of ABMFT, highlighted the broader role of NSS in community development, noting that such initiatives help take academic knowledge beyond classrooms and into grassroots communities.

A key component of the programme was a session on child nutrition by Tangringchi S. Momin, Lecturer at Tura Polytechnic, who emphasised the importance of balanced diets in early childhood. She encouraged parents to adopt locally available, nutritious food practices to support children’s growth and learning.

The career counselling session by V. Valentine Hembrom, District Project Manager at the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), urged students to look beyond conventional career paths and explore opportunities aligned with their strengths and local context.

Village Nokma Nonsing Ch. Marak, who attended the event, lauded the initiative and encouraged families to make the most of such developmental programmes.

Adding to the enthusiasm, NSS volunteers distributed tracksuits to participating children, while cultural performances by students from Petrichor Pre-School and Liberty Valley Academy—both run by William Initiative Schools—brought vibrancy to the event and showcased emerging rural talent.

Organisers said the programme reflects a growing push by educational institutions to engage directly with rural communities, particularly in regions like West Garo Hills, where access to career guidance and nutrition awareness remains limited.

The event concluded with positive feedback from parents, who described the sessions as both relevant and impactful, marking the programme as a meaningful step towards strengthening community awareness and youth empowerment in the region.

Also Read: Meghalaya and the PNG Question: Opportunity or Risk?

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