Wellness held; Centre offers free IIT–JEE and NEET coaching
The opening ceremony of Hav Mering Ao, Shaurya Chakra Centre of Excellence and Wellness (NIEDO) was held on Tuesday at the Town Hall, Mokokchung. The centre offers complimentary 12-month residential coaching for IIT–JEE, NEET (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BVS & ICAR), NEST–NISER, CUET (UG) and other allied streams to selected meritorious students from Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The institution is located at 12 Assam Rifles, Mokokchung.
Honouring a Naga soldier of WWII and Battle of Kohima
The initiative has been set up in honor of Hav Mering Ao, now 105 years old from Süngratsü Village, a decorated Naga soldier who joined the Assam Rifles in 1940 and served in the secret V Force during World War II. According to Maj Gen Manish Kumar, SM, IGAR (N), Ao played a significant role in passing information on Japanese movements behind enemy lines, fought in the defensive Battle of Kohima garrison, and worked towards maintaining peace in Nagaland. For his bravery, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra. Post-retirement, he continued to contribute to community development and served as Gaon Bura for many years.
The centre is founded on three pillars: the Assam Rifles, whose efforts have brought the project to fruition; the Axis Bank Foundation, which has supported the initiative through its CSR programme; and NIEDO (National Integrity and Educational Development Organization), which provides the academic vision, mentorship and curriculum.
Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, DGAR, who graced the event as the chief guest, described the centre as “a beacon of courage, excellence and hope.” He informed the students that the two existing NIEDO facilities at Ghaspani and Chieswema have recorded a 100% success rate in NEET and JEE, and encouraged the first batch in Mokokchung to uphold this record.
“We are not building a coaching centre, but a mission — a mission to honour the legacy of Hav Mering Ao by moulding young minds to serve the nation in medicine, technology, research and other spheres that call for excellence and integrity,” he said.
He also announced the establishment of an annual badminton tournament in memory of Hav Mering Ao, to be held every January, to inspire younger generations with the values of discipline and perseverance.
Ao Senden President Marsanen Imsong expressed gratitude to the Assam Rifles for bringing the initiative to Mokokchung. “This project will bridge the gap and build the future of our younger generation,” he said.
T Chubayanger, President of Kohima Aor Telongjem, who played a key role by submitting the proposal for the project, thanked the Assam Rifles and said, “Today, you have proven to be the friends of the hill people.”