In a remarkable achievement, a 12-year-old girl from Sarli village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Kurung Kumey district has secured admission to a Sainik School, thanks to a mentorship programme launched by the Indian Army.
Milli Yabi, daughter of a farmer and a homemaker, belongs to the remote village of Sarli, located close to the Tibet border and known for its limited access to education and infrastructure. With a literacy rate of just 56.18% (Census 2011), opportunities for children in the area have been scarce.
To bridge this gap, the Army’s 4 Corps started a structured mentorship initiative in 2024 for students of Classes 5 and 8. The programme offered 88 classes, 18 mock tests, and extensive counselling sessions, along with an integration and motivational tour where children interacted with Arunachal Pradesh Governor K.T. Parnaik and visited key institutions.
The impact was overwhelming — 32 out of 33 students cleared the national-level entrance exam, and Milli became the first to secure admission to Sainik School East Siang in August 2025. The Army expects several more students from the batch to gain admission in the coming rounds.
The Defence Ministry hailed Milli’s success as a “symbol of resilience and aspiration,” noting that the initiative not only improved academics but also instilled discipline, confidence, and national pride.
“Her journey demonstrates that with mentorship and opportunity, even the most remote villages can produce future leaders. One day, Milli may qualify for the NDA Khadakwasla and serve the nation in uniform,” the Ministry said in a statement.
