How Mizo Students Are Building Careers—and Saying “Kalaw Mey”
Girls in Mizoram attend coaching classes run by Assam Rifles (Image Nirendra Dev)
From forested hills near Aizawl to medical colleges nationwide, Assam Rifles-supported coaching is quietly transforming futures in Mizoram
By NIRENDRA DEV
Aizwal, January 27, 2026 — There is a proverb that says every individual creates their own destiny. But reality often tells a more nuanced story. Destiny, especially in competitive India, also needs catalysts—institutions and individuals that change the game.
In Mizoram, one such catalyst has been the Assam Rifles—rightly known as Friends of the Hill People.
Mizoram is a land of peace, pragmatic thinking, and hardworking youth. Young students speak candidly about their state. An Aizawl-based girl aspiring to join MBBS says the worst issue is littering in the town. Another, equally ambitious, smiles and says simply: “Mausam achha hai.” Others call peace the state’s greatest strength.
Yet aspiration alone is not enough. Career-building today requires handholding, structure, and access—especially in highly competitive fields like medicine and engineering.
That is where the Assam Rifles, along with the National Integrity and Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO), PSUs, and banks like SBI and Axis Bank, has stepped in quietly but decisively.
At Zokhawsang, about 16 km from Aizawl, a NEIDO-run residential coaching centre supported by Assam Rifles has delivered remarkable results. Last year, 27 out of 30 students cleared NEET, securing seats in MBBS, BDS, and veterinary courses.
The initiative offers 12 months of free NEET coaching, boarding, lodging, and nutrition—something unthinkable for many families even in India’s metros. For parents and students who have endured the stress of NEET preparation, this support is transformative.
Victor, son of a Mizoram police officer, explains the difference: “Other coaching centres often use one teacher for multiple subjects. Here, each subject has a dedicated teacher. That changes everything.”
Several girl students speak of choosing medicine not merely for income, but for service. They talk of witnessing mothers and children suffer due to inadequate healthcare and wanting to specialise in fields like gynaecology.
Rebecca, from a tiny village in Kolasib district, reflects the same confidence. Geography, she insists, cannot limit ambition.
An 81-year-old retired Army officer sums up the philosophy: “Young Mizo girls have immense talent and willpower. Our aim is to provide a structured, inspiring environment so they can thrive academically and socially.”
There is joy here too—laughter, camaraderie, and pride. When a student hesitantly guessed Mizoram’s statehood year as 1986 instead of February 20, 1987, the classroom erupted in laughter. It was a reminder that confidence, not fear, defines these young minds.
Across much of India, students struggle alone. In the Northeast, however, the Modi government’s Act East policy—working quietly through institutions like Assam Rifles—is delivering outcomes rather than slogans.
Free education, cultural sensitivity, nutritious local food, and disciplined mentorship are creating a powerful ecosystem. The results are visible.
This is not just nation-building.
This is human capital building—and Mizoram’s youth are responding with gratitude and grit.
As they say in Mizo, “Kalaw Mey” — a big thank you.
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