[Assam] AASU launches education cell (The Assam Tribune, 01.07.2010).

[Buljit Buragohain]

AASU launches
 education cell
Staff reporter
 GUWAHATI,

 June 30 – The All Assam Students Union (AASU) today formally launched 
its education cell starting with a corpus fund of Rs 5 lakh, a 
contribution from all the members of the student body.The cell, formed with the primary 
objective of encouraging poor but meritorious students with financial 
aid, would also adopt schemes and projects relevant for the development 
of education, particularly at the school level.The student body is aiming to strengthen
 its corpus fund to Rs 1 crore initially and later increase it to Rs 10 
crore.At a 
function held at the auditorium of Vikenanada Kendra, the education cell
 was launched by noted educationist Basanta Deka, who is also the 
president of the cell, by lighting of a ceremonial lamp.Speaking on the occasion, Deka assured 
that the cell would fulfil the aspiration of the student community and 
observed that later on the parameter for availing aid from the cell 
should be expanded to cover those students also who have excelled in 
other fields, like art, culture, literature and sports. He said that 
needy students of the State, irrespective of language, caste and 
community are eligible for help from the cell. Deka further said that he was hopeful 
the cell would be able to realize the vision of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad 
Rabha who had felt the need for changing the education system. Adviser 
of the AASU, Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya said that the student body decided
 to form the education cell for the benefit of the students as the role 
of the government in this regard was very pathetic. “The students who 
passed the HSLC and HS in 2005 got their scholarship in 2010. This is 
the present state of affair in the concerned government department. So 
the AASU has come forward to ensure that the needy students got 
financial help at the right time to continue their studies,” said 
Bhattacharya.It
 may be mentioned here that the AASU decision to form the cell was taken
 in 2009.

 (The Assam Tribune, 01.07.2010)