NIEDO is the only premier NGO in India working in conflict zones towards composite development of the youth. It is a Public Charitable Trust, primarily into provision of value-based education for the disadvantaged children of society. NIEDO also supports and sustains projects in public healthcare, relief to the underprivileged, cultural & social institution, arts & literature, create meaningful employment generating opportunities for Ex-servicemen and Widows of Martyr soldiers, women empowerment and general public utility.

NIEDO is a contemporary NGO which came into being in Dec 2017 and has been primarily into providing fully residential Centres of Excellence designed to provide Compensatory Education to make up for deficiencies and disadvantages for the children coming from lower socio-economic strata and other disadvantaged backgrounds, especially from conflict zones in India. The project involves, right from selection of candidates, to coaching and mentoring them, soft skill training, critical life competency, leadership capabilities, wellness programmes & modules and end to end grooming till they become a productive human resource for the nation. In the year 2018-2019 our project running in Srinagar, Kashmir produced phenomenal results in the NEET. 100% children cleared NEET. 12 students got through MBBS, BDS 3, BV,Sc 2, B.Sc ( Agri) 2, B.Sc (Nursing) 2, B.Tech 2, 7 in allied branches. The second batch is underway and we are hoping and preparing for a result with similar outcomes.

Education is considered as the most potent force of social change. It is an efficient instrument which can enrich the citizens with the knowledge, skill, capacity and confidence for building a dynamic, vibrant nation that takes care of its entire people. It gives children, especially disadvantaged, a chance at success which in normal circumstances would never happen otherwise. Without which these children may never get a chance to break out of their circumstances and lifestyles. Moreover, higher education occupies a place of special importance because it can provide ideas and purpose to give shape to the future. NIEDO is essentially operating in conflict zones in its endeavour to undertake social causes and tapping into the unchartered territory which in general circumstances and course of life are overlooked, due to, not being in the mainstream, remotely located and isolated from the general gaze of our national population/media attention.

NIEDO is working and willing to work in conflict zones of Union Territories of Jammu, Kashmir, Leh, North Eastern States and the Red Corridor regions affected with Left Wing Extremism towards composite development of the youth.

A child affected by conflict requires a lot more than basic necessities like water, food and a roof. They require psychological wellbeing apart from educational/professional success. Whether one is a victim or a witness, one can’t help but get affected by the grim realities of their surroundings. Either it affects them directly through trauma or indirectly through lack of education, employment opportunities etc. It basically hinders their transition from youth to adulthood. This social stagnation contributes to tremendous frustration and loss of hope. At no time education is more important than during a conflict/onerous times. Education and wellness of individuals is considered as the most potent force of social change. It is an efficient instrument which can enrich the citizens with the knowledge, skill, capacity and confidence for building a dynamic, vibrant nation that takes care of its entire people and its social wellbeing. It gives children, especially disadvantaged, a chance at success and increased happiness quotient which in normal circumstances would never happen otherwise. Without which, these children may never get a chance to break out of their circumstances and lifestyles. Moreover, higher education and improved psychological development occupies a place of special importance because it can provide ideas and purpose to give shape to the future. The children incarcerated in the conflict zone in particular are one of the worst sufferers. The hope and the future of the nation rests on these dexterous shoulders and it is these same shoulders which are being deprived of the good fortune of a systematic educational upbringing due to internal turmoils.

Along with the circumstance, access to quality education itself is a grave area combined with outmoded teaching methods and red tapeism in education sector make matters worse in these regions. Moreover, inadequacy of quality educational coaching infrastructure is a major disadvantage for students especially from nonurban, semirural provinces while aspiring for higher education qualifications at the national level. Thus, these students remain severely handicapped while appearing for competitive exams for entrance into Engineering, Medical, Defence, Law, Banking, Fashion and miscellaneous other streams eligible after class 12^th standard. The problem gets amplified for children coming from the lower socio-economic strata and with cognitive baggage since they do not have resources to access high quality coaching centers located outside the region and are mentally strained.

NIEDO believes in equal opportunities for all genders. Our belief is that women are the backbone of a society and bedrock of a nation. Role of a woman is at the front-end chain of improvements, right from family to society, be it our first teachers as mothers, caretakers or to our last refuge for peace. These women share a core value for caring for others and the way to empower them is to ensure girls have equal education opportunities. An empowered woman can revolutionise the family and in effect the society, whereas on the contrary same may not be true in case of a man. Moreover now the female gender is not subjugated/willing to get subjugated anywhere which is a very positive sign for the society, is not averse to getting higher education/doing well in life and/or being associated with the system/mainstream. They indeed challenge their traditional role, come forward to change their life circumstances. It is therefore now pertinent that these girls get equal opportunities.

Women are the key to sustainable development and quality of life. Their role is critical in creating long term stability. For them to play active and valuable roles as agents of positive and constructive change and to reach full potential and rebuild shattered lives, it is important to improve their psychological wellbeing and for that to come about, it is important to create safe spaces for them without the fear of retribution or fear of repercussion which is a common phenomenon in the regions prevailing with conflict/disturbances/internal strife in India. It thus becomes crucial to relocate, rehabilitate them from the grim shadows of these inconsistent regions with countless ancillary complications and drawbacks which act as extensive hindrance and a source of distraction, thereby compromising the desired results, to a much stable and forthcoming place. Place where citizens are receptive towards people from these regions, the environment is amiable, they are able to disregard their past and besides it assists these children in, apart from their education, enlarge their exposure towards multi-cultural society, to have an evolved mindset, thereby shirking the ghetto mentality, broaden their horizon and acquaint them to an egalitarian set up.

NIEDO over the last two years has/is/will likely undertake the following projects. Army HPCL Kashmir Super 30/Centre of Excellence, 2018-19 with Army’s 15 Corps based in Srinagar. Army HPCL Kashmir Super 30/Centre of Excellence, 2019-20 with Army’s 15 Corps based in Srinagar, currently underway. Proposal under consideration and in final stages for Centre of Excellence 2020-21 for Girls from UT of Kashmir, Laddhak and Jammu, Proposal under consideration and in final stages for Centre of Excellence 2020-21 for boys of Upper Assam. Further proposals under consideration for Digitisation of Army Goodwill Public Schools of North Kashmir, 2020-21. Apart from these, NIEDO is in advance talks with the following formations of the Indian Army and other security force agencies to undertake educational projects in various parts of the country. Undertake educational projects for the children of Martyrs, Battle Casualties, Physical Casualties of Indian Army personnel and Veer Naris (Widows) of Martyrs pan India co partnering with Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), an educational project for the disadvantaged boys & girls of the border districts of Sikkim, educational projects for the children coming from the ravaged districts of Poonch, Rajauri, Naushera & Akhnoor along the Line of Control in Jammu region, educational projects for the children of Martyrs, Battle Casualties, Physical Casualties of Indian Army personnel and Veer Naris (Widows) of Martyrs for the entire border area of South West India, including Punjab & Rajasthan borders. Directorate General of Assam Rifles, the highest awarded and decorated Para Military force of Republic of India and aptly called ‘The Friends of the North East People’ wishes to undertake educational projects for the underprivileged kids of the entire eight states of North East India where Assam Rifles is deployed, looking after border guarding and internal security of the region including tackling insurgency and children of Martyrs, Battle Casualties, Physical Casualties of Assam Rifles personnel and Veer Naris (Widows) of Martyrs. Director General, Border Security Force which wishes to undertake educational projects for the children of Martyrs, Battle Casualties, Physical Casualties of BSF personnel and Veer Naris (Widows) of Martyrs.

These projects fundamentally are a welfare scheme, an integrated effort, working on children and parents, thus affecting communities around them as well. Idea is to displace NEET (Neither Education Employment Training) to NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and other related competitive entrance examinations. Transforming push factors (unemployment, ignorance, illiteracy ungoverned mind space, psychological upheaval, etc.) into pull factors (education, employment, happiness, well being etc). Providing access to children from underprivileged and disadvantaged background to quality educational and coaching facility in all streams and to gain admission into top notch colleges and Universities, beneficial towards their career. The success will generate goodwill in society which presumably will help in establishing long term employment opportunities for the youth of troubled torn regions of India. The outcomes are tangible, visible and time bound. Basically, the life of poor students, parents and of future generation gets transformed almost after the results are declared.       Perceptible national media mileage to the partners involved in the programme. It’s a golden ticket for a stable successful career and a better life. And finally, the societal benefits are to make an inclusive and unified community thus creating a sustainable and happier planet.

These Centres of Excellence & Wellness for children coming from conflict zones harbor immense potential as a nation building tool and is constructive in nature. Given a period of two to three years to run and nurture, in due course it will be able to create feeling of mental and social wellbeing amongst parents and their children by providing quality education thus catering for a better life and evolving responsible citizens for our country. These projects on realisation will emerge as mechanism for progress, growth and happiness, creating an inclusive & unified community, building nation and a sustainable planet. Sir, hoping to hear from you.