Hill Voice, 25 July 2025, Rangamati: On 24 July 2025, with the slogan “Freshers Guided by Light, Moving Forward Rooted in Heritage,” the Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Students’ Council (PCP) and Hill Women’s Federation (HWF), Rangamati Government College Unit, jointly organized the “Freshers’ Reception and Honoring of Meritorious Students 2025.”

Through this event, students of HSC 1st year (academic year 2024–2025) and Bachelor’s 1st year (academic year 2023–2024) studying at Rangamati Government College were welcomed, and meritorious students were honored. The program began at 10:00 AM today at the Rangamati District Silpakola Academy auditorium.

The event was graced by u win Mong Jolly, Assistant General Secretary of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti, as the chief guest. Special guests included Advocate Chanchu Chakma, Member of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council; Mr. Anirban Barua, Secretary of the Teachers’ Council and Assistant Professor of the English Department at Rangamati Government College; Antor Chakma, Assistant General Secretary of the PCP Central Committee; Suman Chakma, President of the PCP Rangamati District Branch; and Mranusing Marma, General Secretary of the HWF Central Committee.

At the event, a welcome address on behalf of the new students was read by Baishali Chakma, a second-year HSC student from the Humanities group. On behalf of the freshers, Lisa Chakma, a first-year HSC student, delivered a speech.

In his speech as the chief guest, U Win Mong Jolly addressed the new students by saying that the student and youth community are the navigators of future nation-building. Students, through institutional education, become educated and earn several certificates, ultimately accepting the bondage of discipline known as employment. This happens because all textbooks in the country are written according to the will of a particular ruling class. They want to ensure that no one can point out their mistakes or raise a finger against them. Therefore, the ruling class aims to create an institutional education system that is narrow, self-centered, selfish, and disconnected from movements against oppression and injustice—so that they can continue to rule unchallenged.
He further added that no matter how high a person rises in life, they must never forget their roots. One must study their own people’s history and dedicate themselves to preserving their culture, heritage, traditions, and national identity.

Chanchu Chakma said that education has the power to awaken the sense of humanity within a person. Students must step beyond the boundaries of institutionalized education and become truly educated through practical and humane learning. The student community is a free-thinking society. Therefore, students must engage in the practice of free thought, discover themselves, awaken a spirit of resistance, and come forward to bring about change in society.

Anirban Barua said that through education, a person becomes enlightened. Student life is a preparatory phase for building one’s future. It is during this phase that an individual can pursue true knowledge through proper education. As a result, one develops human qualities and becomes a complete, virtuous person. Teachers are like parents to their students. They guide them on the right path, and it is the students’ responsibility to follow that path. Therefore, students must follow the guidance shown by their teachers, develop themselves in all aspects, and walk the path of righteousness.

Antor Chakma said that acquiring knowledge requires dedication, and through education, a person develops humanity. A human being is born from the mother’s womb, but it is through the attainment of knowledge, education, and human values that one becomes complete and truly human. At present, many Jumma students studying in various educational institutions do not seem to feel the need to learn about their own history. Time is moving forward. Therefore, now is the time for students to reflect on and learn about their roots-the history, culture, and heritage of their own people and society. The time has come to take on the historical responsibility of preserving the existence of one’s nation by developing oneself in every aspect.

Mranusing Marma said that Jumma students in the Chittagong Hill Tracts have to pursue education while facing various real-life challenges and adversities. Students must recognize these realities and always guide themselves along the path of honesty and integrity. He noted that nowadays, many students spend excessive time on mobile phones, neglecting their studies. They must use mobile phones wisely and purposefully. He also emphasized the need for students to understand the ground realities of the hills and alongside their academic pursuits, study the history of the struggle and movement in the Chittagong Hill Tracts so they can actively contribute to the protection of their motherland.

The event was jointly moderated by Gyana Chakma, General Secretary of the PCP Rangamati Government College Unit, and Eli Chakma, President of the HWF. The program was presided over by Sajal Chakma, President of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Students’ council (PCP), Rangamati Government College Unit. The discussion session began with a welcome speech delivered by Bishwajit Chakma, Assistant General Secretary of the PCP Rangamati Government College Unit. At the beginning of the event, the guests were warmly received and honored with traditional scarves (uttoriyo).

The first session of the event-which included the freshers’ reception, the honoring of meritorious students, and the discussion meeting-concluded with the closing remarks from the chair. In the second session, a delightful cultural program was organized, featuring performances by indigenous students from various departments of Rangamati Government College.