Aizawl: The Assam Rifles has renamed its National Integrity & Educational Development organisation (NIEDO) at Zokhawsang in Mizoram as the Bevela Centre of Excellence in honour of the late rifleman Bevela Lushai of 14 Assam Rifles.
The rechristening was carried out by Major General Suresh Kumar Bhambhu, IGAR (East) during a solemn ceremony on August 25.
The ceremony was attended by Lushai’s daughter, Vanlalnghaki Chhakchhuak, along with family members, ex-servicemen, and students.
Rifleman Lushai was posthumously honoured with the Ashok Chakra, becoming the first Mizo soldier to receive the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
The Bevela Centre of Excellence will continue its mission as an open-house mentoring hub, providing coaching for JEE, NEST and other competitive examinations.
The initiative is a joint endeavour of Assam Rifles, NIEDO and Axis Bank, which supports the programme as a training and corporate partner.
The renaming coincided with Purr Day, observed annually to commemorate the valiant defence of Purr Post in Nagaland’s Phek district on August 25, 1960.
On that day, over 500 armed Naga insurgents launched a heavy assault on the post. Despite intense gunfire, Rifleman Bevela Lushai and two comrades crawled beyond the perimeter to recover two ammunition boxes that had fallen some 30 yards outside the post during an airdrop.
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The boxes contained ammunition critical to the defenders. By risking his life to prevent the ammunition from falling into enemy hands, Rifleman Bevela Lushai ensured the survival of his comrades and the successful defence of Purr Post.
