There is a proverb -- Every man or woman creates his or her own destiny !! But can some maxims go wrong ?
There are "catalysts/agents" who play gamechanger.
Mizoram is a land of peace and pragmatic people, young career-oriented indivduals and they are hardworking. Even young students are not shy to speak out quickly on what's the worst and best of the state. One Aizawl-based girl and more than enthusiastic about joining MBBS course says - "As I understand, the worst thing is people more often litter the town and there is garbage around".
Her compatriot and also a budding medico was quick to highlight the best part of Mizoram -- and she said -- "Mausam achha hae (weather is good here)". Another enthusiast said - "Peace is the best part of our state".
Yet handholding becomes an essential and additional support system. That's what the para military force Assam Rifles is famous for. Truly yours - Friends of the Hill people.
The socio-political contexts of Mizoram unlike many other states in the northeast are not so complex. Say for example in Manipur, 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.
In Mizoram -- essentially overwhelming number of natives and sons and daughters of the soil fall under one larger group - the Mizos -- and they include Hmars, Lushais, Pois and a few others. But career making for youngsters is not that easy especially in this growing age of competition.
Moreover, qualitative education means a lot of investments from parents.
Hence a set of young girls and boys who want to join medical or engineering course did make opportune use of the NEIDO-run boarding school at Zokhawsang.
This is located about 16 km from state capital Aizawl.
The school run with the sponsorship of PSUs and supported by Assam Rifles had a good strike rate last year.
Out of 30 students as many as 27 of them who appeared NEET successfully got into MBBS and other medical courses such as Bachelor of Dental surgery and Veterinary.
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 in Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur 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 were providing 12 months free guidance for NEET exam.
Its a Mission Generosity and something unthinkable in metropolis such as New Delhi.
Pragmatic Mizos as they are, some students are aware of this fact.
Victor says -- "I tried with other coaching courses in Aizawl, most often they provide one teacher for multiple subjects. But under NEIDO; we have dedicated teachers for each subject. This makes a big difference in preparing for NEET".
Son of a Mizoram policeman; Victor wants to join Indian army.
Ms Mishelle is also quite ambitious to make big in medical career. I quizzed her saying as she hailed from capital Aizawl and there are already established medicos what wouls she do if she did not get a good job; she emphatically said - "If I really learn well and can come out as a genuinely good doctor; I can definitely do well".
That sounded sweet - I thought coming a girl younger than my city-growing daughter but also it displays the average Mizo confidence.
A few girl students said -- they all are keen for a career in medicine and its not strictly about money. They want to join even Gynecology course because they have seen at times mothers and children suffering due to poor medical support.
Ms Rebeccca from Kolasib district comes from a tiny village but this fact of life has not dampened her spirit.
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 forest and hills, I wss interacting with an ex-serviceman. The former Colonel and now 81 said:
- "Young Mizo girls have so much talent and the will to excel. Now in tune with the central Govt policy we want that these students should thrive academically and develop in a structured, inspiring atmosphere under an holistic approach".
The boarding school also has a student who was born at violence-hit Churachandpur. Her father is still a reverend there but they originally hail from Aizawl.
There was a small anecdote during our interaction. I threw up a question when did Mizoram get statehood. A boy shyly remarked - "I think 1986 ...".
Before I could say he was incorrect. His class mates and several girls started giggling. I said - "Is he speaking like a Vai Naupang - the outsider who does not know Mizoram". The entire class broke into a peel of laughter.
Statehood for Mizoram came on Feb 20, 1987.
That was a fascinating exeperience - Mizo girls laughing together is a fun by itself. It tells that life is so joyous - far away from routine worries.
It demonstrated once again that Mizos are there confident about marching towards greater glories and certainly they can be led by Bharat Ki Bhetis.
There are a few students who do not mind sweating it out for second or even third time for MBBS course.
Elsewhere in India, youngsters swest it out 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 eithrr in Mizoram or in Manipur or Nagaland to make big by taking the immense advantage of a golden opportunity.
That'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 - arsa - chicken supplied multiple times in a week with occasional provisions for typical local boiled-vege dishes.
One administrative stuff and newly appointed Physics teacher - join the local enthusiasm and say mildly - we all are loving it.
ends
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