ITANAGAR, Sep 25: Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force of India, on Sunday signed an MoU with Axis Bank and National Integrity and Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO) for setting up a ‘Centre of Excellence and Wellness’ at Jairampur in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The first-of-its-kind project conceived by AR envisages to supporting underprivileged students from south Arunachal Pradesh to prepare for various competitive entrance examinations to India’s premier institutions in engineering and related streams as well as other exams conducted by National Testing Agency such as the BS-MS dual degree programs in IISER, NISER, ICAR, IIPR, CDRI and CDRC. This is the third of its kind initiative by Assam Rifles in the North East - the other two being in Nagaland and Manipur.
The MoU signing ceremony took place at the Garrison Headquarters of 19 Assam Rifles in Jairampur in presence of Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) Major General Vikas Lakhera, Commander 25 Sector AR Brigadier Swaran Singh, Vice President, Corporate Head, Axis Bank Jabir Hussain Rahim, Managing Trustee and CEO, NIEDO Dr Rohit Shrivastava and other senior representatives from the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, AR, Axis Bank and NIEDO.
The centre, to be set up under the Bank’s Axis Dil Se initiative that aims to transform educational opportunities in India’s remote locations, will initially support upto 30 meritorious students from Arunachal to prepare for competitive entrance exams by way of providing a free residential coaching program that shall also focus on strengthening their overall mental wellbeing.
The centre, named “Patkai 30, Centre of Excellence and Wellness” shall be set up at the AR premises at Jairampur with NIEDO being the implementing agency for providing the coaching and training expertise.
The IGAR (North) conveyed that this was a significant milestone in the people centric approach of AR as Sentinels of North East. While underlining the role of education in the nation building process and the importance of this centre for the students of Arunachal, he assured complete support from AR towards the successful implementation of this initiative.
Jabir Hussain Rahim said Axis Bank is privileged to partner with the AR and NIEDO to establish the centre towards nurturing the bright, young minds of Arunachal which will provide all the necessary support to help fulfil the aspirations of the children who aim high and have all the capabilities to excel in any competitive exam.
Under the program, eligible candidates shall be selected by NIEDO in consultation with AR and they will go through a rigorous and comprehensive academic guidance provided by qualified and experienced faculty.