Ukhrul, Aug. 7 -- In the peaceful hills of Ukhrul town, an educational program is steadily changing the lives of young girls and bridging gaps between Manipur's varied communities.

Central to this transformation is the Assam Rifles Centre of Educational Excellence in Somsai, which was launched in July 2022. This initiative, a partnership among the Assam Rifles, the CSR division of a private bank, and the charitable organisation National Integrity and Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO), provides free residential NEET preparation for girls from socially and economically underprivileged backgrounds.

At this centre, girls from various regions of Manipur, including Meitei, Kuki, Pangal, Naga, and other ethnic groups, coexist, study...