SHIVADEEP RAI
Gangtok: Paying tribute to Mary Scott, PNG School celebrated its 84th Founder’s Day in a befitting manner at the school premises on May 21. Mr. PS Tingbo, Reverend of EPCS Church (Gangtok) was chief guest on the occasion.
During the function, a documentary video ‘The Touch’ was displayed to the gathering which included present and former students and teachers of PNG School and guests. The video narration revealed the journey of PNG School since its inception in the year 1924 till date. It was narrated that PNG School was founded by Mary Scott of Scotland in 1924 with the permission of the then King Chogyal.
At that time there was lack of education for girls due to the ethics and culture of Sikkim. In such kind of circumstances, Mary Scott with the vision and hope to develop girls literally, visited every family and tried to convince them for girls’ education.
Mary Scott then started her school with only two girls at Mazakoti. Boys were also allowed up to class II at that time. Later, the school was shifted in its present location on the land donated by King Chogyal.
The pictures of Mary Scott with her students in the film depicted her endeavor, hard work and dream of upliftment of girls. She remained incharge of the school as its principal till 1939. After her, several other principals including Grace Patterson from New Zealand, Martha Hamilton, Miss Richie and Roosevelt Namchu (from within Sikkim) carried forward the responsibility of executing the vision and dream of Mary Scott.
Ex-students of the school, watching the video, recalled nostalgic memories of their school days. Mrs. NM Karthak and Mrs. Jemima Pradhan, ex-students and teachers of the school shared their school experience with the gathering. Mrs. Pradhan said that PNG School produces not only an academic student but also a complete woman. “Apart from education, PNG School taught us everything associated with the real life of a woman”, she said.
The school students performed impressive colourful Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha dances. The chief guest in his address said, “Rich person is one who makes others rich. Mary Scott came here in Sikkim sacrificing all the comfort and luxury of her home just to make the people of Sikkim literally, morally and spiritually rich. She was very rich”.
He informed that the first church of Gangtok was built by the effort of Mary Scott. He told the students to keep their school always young and vigorous as at present.
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