24-05-2025
How Assam Rifles Is Shaping Young Futures In Nagaland Through Education
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In partnership with NIEDO & Axis Bank, Assam Rifles is providing free residential coaching, mentorship, and life skills training to underprivileged students preparing for NEET, JEE
Assam Rifles provides logistical support to the National Integrity Education Development Organisation (NIEDO) in offering coaching to underprivileged students for JEE and IIT entrance examinations. A one-year residential coaching programme initiative is sponsored by Axis Bank and aims to secure a better future for deserving students from various parts of Nagaland.
The NIEDO–Assam Rifles partnership has been instrumental in shaping the careers of several young Naga boys and girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds by providing them access to quality education. It also offers mentorship, enabling students not only to prepare for competitive examinations but also to foster personal development.
In May 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Assam Rifles, Axis Bank, and NIEDO to establish the 'Late Capt N Kengurüse, Mahavir Vir Chakra (MVC) Centre of Excellence and Wellness" at Chieswema, Kohima. Named after Capt Kengurüse of 2 Rajputana Rifles, who hailed from Nagaland's Kohima district, he made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil War while single-handedly clearing a well-fortified medium machine gun bunker. He was posthumously awarded India's second-highest gallantry award for this extraordinary act of valour.
This centre prepares students for prestigious competitive examinations such as NEET and JEE. The programme began in 2022 with the selection of 30 meritorious students from across Nagaland. The aspirants underwent rigorous testing to ensure that only the most deserving candidates were selected. The project has been conceptualised as a year-long, fully residential coaching and mentoring facility for NEET and JEE examinations. Qualified and experienced faculty members from NIEDO deliver the curriculum, ensuring high-quality education.
The collaboration between NIEDO and Assam Rifles has had a significant impact on the youth of Nagaland. Building on the success of the Chieswema centre, Assam Rifles and NIEDO have expanded their efforts to other regions. In August 2024, a similar initiative was launched in Ghaspani (Medziphema) with the establishment of the Subedar PB Chhetri, Kirti Chakra Centre of Excellence.
Subedar Chhetri of 7 Assam Rifles was awarded India's second-highest civilian award for leading his men in an anti-terrorist operation in J&K at an altitude of 14,000 feet. During this encounter, 72 armed terrorists returning to J&K after completing military training in ISI-run camps in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were neutralised, and 13 others were apprehended.
This programme is being conducted under the direction of the Director General, Assam Rifles, and implemented by NIEDO. While the Inspector General, Assam Rifles (North) oversees the project's overall operations, Axis Bank is providing funding support for this social responsibility initiative. In addition to the faculty, officers from Assam Rifles also share their experiences in preparing for competitive exams and provide guidance in personality development.
The partnership between NIEDO and Assam Rifles exemplifies a successful model of public–private collaboration aimed at empowering underprivileged local youth through education. By providing access to quality coaching, personal development programmes, and mentorship, this initiative is shaping the careers of underprivileged students in Nagaland and offering them opportunities for a brighter future.
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First Published:
May 24, 2025, 16:07 IST
