Guwahati: Preserving indigenous identity and spreading knowledge is what Janjati Vikas Samiti, Nagaland inspired by Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has been serving for the last four decades. In remote locations of hill state Nagaland, the Janjati Vikas Samiti is empowering the tribal youths through their schools which are now a centre of excellence producing good human and responsible citizens.
The students of Zeliangrong Heraka School run by the Samiti have excelled in education and contributing in nation building. Two bright students of the school bring laurels to the entire Tenning area by securing seats in two prestigious medical colleges in the country. Miss Dindin, daughter of Shri Kunglung from Tening Village (Class 10 Batch of 2021-22 of the school) and Mr. Kireugabo, son of Shri Kirang from Old Nkio Village (Class 10 Batch of 2020-21 of the school) have been selected for MBBS admission through NEET.
Miss Dindin has secured a seat at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College in Kanpur, and Mr. Kireugabo has secured a seat at the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR).
Janjati Vikas Samiti, Nagaland and their endeavour
Zeliangrong Heraka School was founded in 1984 by Janjati Vikas Samiti, Nagaland. It began as a modest primary school with a modest goal – to teach tribal children while also preserving their culture. It has grown into a full high school in nearly 40 years and now has students from 23 villages spread across Nagaland, Assam and Manipur.
It’s not only the academics in the school. It aims to develop emotional strength, protect cultural identity, and link tribal and non-tribal communities. This reflects India’s larger idea of “Unity in Diversity.” The goal is to form educated, socially responsible and national students.
Much of the school’s success comes from its honorary teachers, many of whom studied there themselves. They are dedicated and inventive teachers, even without the advantages of modern instructional resources. Their commitment has helped make the school a model for others.The school examination results are excellent. It has secured 100 per cent pass in the HSLC exams 16 out of 19 years since 2006. What’s even more impressive is that it has maintained this streak for a continuous 12 years from 2011 to 2022 – a record that no other school in Nagaland has matched.
The school also participates in cultural and social activities. Celebrations of Raksha Bandhan, science tours and participation in the National Children’s Science Congress help in broadening students’ outlook. Indigenous traditions are preserved through cultural and literary programs. This model is inspiring and even the schools around have raised their standards resulting in lesser school drop-outs and a community that is more education focused.
The true mark of the school’s success is its alumni. They are now government officials, engineers, doctors, researchers and social workers. Many have returned to teach or serve on the committee, continuing that same spirit of giving back. Education at this school is not simply personal achievement, but a life-long duty to the community.
