Manipur Deputy CM Breaks Ground on Pune Girls' Hostel for Northeast Students

Imphal: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho laid the foundation stone for the Late Smt. Jamnabai Firodia North East India Bhavan and Rani Gaidinliu Girls' Hostel in Pune. The ceremony took place at Gujar-Nimbalkarwadi. This project carries a price tag of roughly Rs 10 crore. It aims to provide safe housing for students arriving from the Northeast, especially those fleeing conflict in Manipur.

Pune-based NGO Sarhad is building the facility. Force Motors Chairman Abhay Firodia and Sarhad founder-president Sanjay Nahar joined the event. The structure honors Rani Gaidinliu, the iconic Zeliangrong freedom fighter. Construction should finish in 18 months.

Dikho pushed the vision of a united country. He praised the NGO for its work in Punjab and Kashmir. Addressing the gathering, he said, "As India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, every young person, irrespective of where they come from, should have equal access to quality education and opportunities."

Firodia noted that local connections define national strength. He sees the hostel as a bridge for cultural exchange. Nahar expects the finished hall to house students from diverse communities under one roof. The Manipur government pledged ongoing support for these youth-focused initiatives. Attendees left the event promising to bolster educational access for all northeastern students.