Guwahati: Samkalp Assam, the first Northeast branch of Delhi-based premier civil services mentoring centre Samkalp, was inaugurated by Governor Jagdish Mukhi here on Wednesday evening.

The initiative is aimed at guiding and preparing aspirants from the Northeast for the civil services examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

State education minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya was the chief guest at the event while Mukhi was the guest of honour.

Assam's first lady Prem Mukhi, Samkalp founder Santosh Taneja, senior IAS and IPS officers and a host of other dignitaries were present.

Speaking at the event, Taneja said, "Our aim is to make quality guidance and mentorship available for civil service aspirants of the state as well as the entire Northeast right here in Guwahati, thereby eliminating the need for them to travel to places like Delhi and other metropolitan cities to prepare for civil service examinations."

Lauding the efforts of the organisers, Mukhi expressed the hope that this new venture would be whole-heartedly embraced by the civil service aspirants of the entire region.

"Today marks a new dawn in the annals of civil service preparation of the region and I sincerely believe that this initiative by Samkalp will open a floodgate of opportunities for civil services aspirants of the Northeast," he said.

The governor also felicitated the successful candidates of the recently concluded UPSC examinations from the Northeast and congratulated them for their perseverance and dedication. He urged them to contribute towards the development of the nation.