Geoffrey Meyikokba Yaden, founder and editor-in-chief of Nagaland Post, speaking during the inaugural programme of Aakash Institute in Dimapur on April 23. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 23
Aakash Institute, India’s leading coaching centre for NEET (UG), IIT-JEE, and Foundation courses for Classes 8 to 10, officially inaugurated its first branch in Dimapur today. The centre is located at Middle Point Colony, near Metro Hospital.
The Dimapur Centre has been operational since January this year, according to Branch Head, Tripurari Singh. It offers Foundation courses for students of Classes 8 to 10, and dedicated coaching for NEET and JEE aspirants in Classes 11 and 12. Currently, more than 300 students are enrolled at the centre.
Established in 1988, Aakash began as a coaching service for medical entrance examinations. Over the years, it has grown to become one of the most recognised institutions in the country, offering specialised preparatory services for both medical and engineering entrances, as well as foundation-level courses.
Gracing the occasion as the chief guest was Geoffrey Meyikokba Yaden, founder and editor-in-chief of Nagaland Post. He welcomed Aakash to Dimapur, describing its arrival as a ‘momentous step’ in providing quality coaching to the young students preparing for competitive exams.
“Our students are intelligent, creative, and full of energy,” Yaden remarked. “But coaching today must go beyond textbooks. It must connect with the psychology of young learners, engage with their creativity, and build emotional intelligence—qualities that are essential for real success in today’s dynamic world.”
He emphasised the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and integrating emotional intelligence into academic learning, noting that education is not merely about passing exams but about personal and professional growth.
Dr Surrya Bhanu Singh, Deputy Director, East Zone of Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL)who has been associated with the institute since 2004, also addressed the gathering. “When I joined, we had just 60 branches. Today, Aakash has over 400 branches nationwide,” he said.
Highlighting the vast potential of students in the Northeast, Dr Surya noted the problem is not lack of talent, but lack of access to equal opportunities and quality resources. “With the right platform, students from even the most rural areas have shown they can compete at the national level.”
He underlined the intensity of competition, citing that over 15 lakh students appear for JEE annually, and more than two lakh students sit for the same set of exams under Aakash’s two-year programmes.
“The journey is not about one day—it’s a 365-day challenge,” he added. “We aim to nurture students by providing comprehensive learning tools, whether through regular classes or distance learning programmes.”
With the opening of its Dimapur centre, the institute hopes to bridge the gap in educational resources and provide a competitive edge to students in the region, ensuring that every learner gets a fair chance to succeed, Dr Surya added.
