The socio-political problems of Manipur have always been complex. There have been three different sects of humankind - Kukis, Meiteis and Nagas. There have been segments like Tangkhuls, Maos and Paomis among Nagas. Zomis have been different from Kukis and there have been other communities like Vaipeis and Paiteis too.
Post May-2023 things became more complicated especially between Kukis and Meiteis.
But there are youngsters who want to have new ways of looking at life. There are young girls and boys who want to find a career in medicine or engineering. The bitter fact of life that some of them grew up in conflict zones like Churachandpur did not dampen their spirit to 'explore' new horizons and fly.
Hence a set of young girls from Kuki-dominated Churachandpur want to join medical and they did not mind joining the NEIDO-run boarding school at Ukhrul - a predominantly hub of Tangkhul Nagas. The school run with the sponsorship of Axis Bank and supported by Assam Rifles (IGAR/10 Sector, Manipur) had a good strike rate last year. Out of 37 girl students, 25 of them appeared NEET successfully and got into MBBS and other courses.
In fact, the boarding school has students from Tangkhul Naga community and also Meiteis from Imphal valley. Among them is Abigail Veingachong Guite from Kangpokpi district. She passed the NEET exam last year scoring about 400 marks but has decided to try her luck yet again.
"I could have got Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or something else. But I am determined to try MBBS only," says she as her eyes dazzle with confidence.
There are a few others who do not mind sweating it out for second or even third time for MBBS course.
The girl student from Moirang - Ms Melody - says, "I am keen for a career in medicine and its not strictly about money. I want to join Gynecology course because in my home town I have seen mothers and children suffering due to poor medical support".
The Indian Army and the Assam rifles in collaboration with organisations like National Integrity and Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO), State Bank of India and Axis Bank, and PSUs have taken a unique initiative to provide free coaching to underprivileged native students for competitive exam NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test).
My daughter appeared for NEET 2024 and so I know the pain. sweat and tension behind all that both for the students and the parents. And here the Assam Rifles running under the Ministry of Home and other central Govt agencies and PSU-banks were providing 12 months free guidance for NEET exam.
Devendra Biswakarma hails from Uttar Pradesh and he is the administrative coordinator at the institute. Talking to him brought another vital part of the story into focus.
"I went to Churachandpur once and when the short list of candidates were drawn out...I spoke to the father of two girl students over phone and was able to convince them that once their children are in the Ukhrul institute, they have a brighter prospect to pass the NEET exam," he said adding students here come from humble origins.
Some parents are privately employed drivers or into farming or small business; but the young daughters are ambitious and determined enough to work hard to big things in life.
The chemistry teacher hails from Bihar and that way he knows how youngsters suffer trying to make careers. But in the north east, the Modi Government's Act East Policy seems to be doing a miracle rather in silence.
Things were available at door steps and it was for the children from violence-hit communities in Manipur to take the immense advantage of a golden opportunity.
For a man and a father of a daughter, it was always a fascinating experience to interact with a group of potential female medicos. Out from the institute complex in the Assam Rifles camp nestled among hills in Ukhrul, I had a chance meeting with an Indian army woman officer.
Mother of a four-year-old son, she said - "It is admirable that these young girls have so much talent and the will to excel in life. Now in tune with the Govt policy we want that these students should thrive academically and develop in a structured, inspiring atmosphere under an holistic approach".
The Super 50 Scheme is intended for students from families with limited means in Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
The program has helped many worthy students.
The program, as I understood, goes beyond the usual classroom instructions.
It's a success tale of man (or woman-making). The Boarding and lodging is free and to suit local appetite there is non-veg food supplied twice or thrice in a week with occasional provisions for typical local boiled-vege dishes.
ends
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