Sherubtse’s Arts and Humanity forum bagged the first position in the cultural competition organised to observe Teachers’ Day at Sherubtse College in Kanglung yesterday.

The competition (on rigsar songs) was held between the four forums for the first time this year.

Until last year, the competition was held between various departments at the college.

It was also the first time for the college’s first-ever female president of Forum for International and National Awareness (FINA), Sonam Deki, to organise the day’s event.

FINA is one of the oldest and most prestigious student bodies in the college.

“It was a very special day for us, the students,” said the 22-year-old leader. “It is the day we pay our sincere tribute to our teachers for everything they do to make us stand on our own feet.”

Sonam Deki said that there were doubts about how a female leader could lead one of the college’s most important student bodies. “However, the event turned out to be a success and it was because of all the collaborative efforts put in by various leaders,” she said. “The cooperation they rendered to not just me but to FINA as a whole was very encouraging.”

Cultural programmes were followed with fun activities for the lecturers that saw promising participations from the faculties, old and young. The college management also arranged prizes for the winners.

The day was observed with the theme, ‘Teachers are the true mentors in enlightening all our way.’

“People say that in colleges, bond between the teachers and students isn’t that strong. Students don’t respect teachers as they do in schools. But I think the bond is much stronger in colleges,” said Dorji, a third-year student. “I have come across lecturers who have taken out their personal time to provide additional support to students.”

Younten Tshedup | Kanglung