Gangtok, November 22, 2012:

Altogether 150 youths of Sikkim, holding graduation and above degrees, would be undergoing State sponsored coaching classes in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Tamil Nadu for appearing in UPSC and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams.

These youths were selected from an entrance exam conducted by the State Human Resource Development (HRD) department on October 31 following Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s announcement to give free coaching to Sikkimese youths in best coaching centres of the country.

During his tour of schools earlier this year, Chamling had announced to provide training in reputed coaching centres to interested students of Sikkim so they can give entrance exams of national services like UPSC and SSC.

Out of a total of 145 candidates, 130 students passed the State level entrance exams for UPSC coaching scheme. The remaining 15 students were given the opportunity to undergo coaching for SSC exams along with five other students who appeared for this particular scheme.

Speaking with SIKKIM EXPRESS, HRD secretary CS Rao said: “The 130 candidates who have been selected forundergoing the UPSC coaching scheme would be studying in various reputed institutes in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Tamil Nadu. We have inspected and selected the best coaching centres of the country. The twenty candidates selected for the SSC coaching will be sent to New Delhi”. Around Rs. 3 crores would be spent by the State government on sponsoring these 150 candidates in the coaching centres. The State government is also providing accommodation and food expenses besides giving a onetime grant of Rs. 10,000 to each candidate as travelling costs. The candidates would be leaving this month to their respective coaching centres and attend their course which range from 5 months to 11 months. Each candidate has signed an undertaking with the HRD department promising not to abandon their courses midway.

Asked about the State government’s expectations from its maiden initiative to prepare Sikkimese youths for Central services, the HRD secretary said that the Chief Minister and State government would be pleased to have a success rate between 25 to 50 percent. “The government and especially the Chief Minister will be happy if 25 to 50 percent cracks the Central service examinations. We are hopeful that our selectedstudents would crack the exams after attending the coaching classes and bring laurels for the State in days to come”, he said.

The selected students have thanked the Chief Minister and State government for the coaching initiative. “It is a wonderful opportunity for the educated youths of Sikkim and we thank the Chief Minister for this. It is impossible for middle class youths to attend such coaching classes on their own expenses. To receiving coaching from reputed institutes is a dream come true for us”, said Bhuman Basnet from Namchi. Basnet has cleared the entrance exam for UPSC coaching scheme. “I take this opportunity as a blessing and will attend the coaching classes with full dedication. I will try my best to crack the UPSC exams and bring glory to our State”, he said. “I had a dream since childhood to become an IAS officer and today I feel that I am moving closer to achieve that dream through the coaching facility started by the State government. I thank our Chief Minister for making this facility possible for me. I could not have afforded to attend the coaching classes on my own”, said Avinash Lamichaney from Pani House, Gangtok.

 

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