by Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : For the first time, the rank holders in the Higher Secondary (HS) Examination, 2018 results received Gold Medals from the State Government. The first position holders in Arts, Science and Commerce streams received the medals from the State Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya. The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council declared the Class 12 results on Thursday. Sampriti Rajkhowa from Ramanujan Junior College, Nagaon topped in the Arts stream, Raunak Lohia from Geetanjali Junior College, Nagaon secured the first position in the Commerce stream and Amar Sing Thapa from Abdul Hasib HS School, Hojai secured the first rank in the Science stream. The Minister, who participated in the 34th foundation day of the Council, also mentioned that a new subject on ‘Swadesh Adhyan’ will be incorporated in the HS first year. The ‘Swadesh Adhyan’ will cover chapters on history and geography. He also released the new coursebook during the programme. Bhattacharya also criticised the Cotton University for poor show in the HS examination this year. He questioned that at a time when the cutoff pass percentage in Cotton University is 70-75 percent, why are students passing in second division. He also stated that even after paying the teachers “handsomely”, they have failed to perform satisfactorily. Bhattacharya also has issued show cause notice to the principal of Gauhati Commerce College (GCC). As reported, GCC principal has allegedly said that the private institutions have a “secret pact” with the Council. As per reports, Bhattacharya will also summon the authorities of Gauhati University, Arya Vidyapeeth College, B Barooah College and Handique Girls’ College to discuss the poor show of these city colleges in the HS examination. Only three students from Kamrup (Metro) managed to secure a place in the merit list in Science and Commerce streams. Unfortunately, no candidate from Arts stream made it to the merit list. In Commerce stream, Pratiksha Bachyas and Mritrika Nath from GCC secured 9th and 10th positions respectively. On the other hand, Ujjawal Jain from Cotton University secured the 10 position in Science stream.