Army Chief General Manoj Naravane, who is on a three-day visit to Northeast India, inaugurated a new residential facility at Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home (KODH) in Kohima Wednesday. This facility will be run by the Assam Rifles, the Union Defence Ministry said.

Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home, which was set up in 1973 and founded by Zaputo Angami, is located on the National Highway-29, about eight km from Kohima town.

The ministry said in a statement that Assam Rifles organised the construction and furnishing of the facility at KODH which presently takes care of 95 children, including 26 girls. These children not only get love, care and affection, but are also afforded education in local schools and colleges. Over the years, Assam Rifles has extended its support to many such social organisations, through various Civic Action projects.

Earlier, items worth approximately Rs 4.5 lakh were provided to the orphanage for the construction of two toilet blocks, and provision of two computers and one television, the ministry said. It said some quantity of basic rations was also provided in April and June 2020 in order to ensure supply of basic amenities during the pandemic. A medical camp was organised wherein all children underwent basic tests for health and hygiene, a necessary component for their healthy upbringing, the ministry added.

Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home is, now, run by Zaputo Angami's daughter Neibano Angami. Over the years, the home has grown to provide solace to needy orphans with crowdfunding, the benevolence of various philanthropists, and NGOs like Sunbird Trust headed by Col (Retd) Christopher Rego and the Armed Forces.