The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Miners' children eye career in Army

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 11, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Miners' children eye career in Army

By Ravi Reddy

GODAVARIKHANI, DEC. 10. Intense competition is on among thousands of unemployed children of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) workers in the Godavarikhani region of Karimnagar district to join the Army.

Till three years ago, only a few children of miners in the SCCL evinced interest to join the Army. The region, often branded as fertile ground for recruitment of youth into the revolutionary movement, is now witnessing a new phenomenon. In a welcome change, there is craze among enthusiastic children to join the Army.

SSS initiative

Thanks to the efforts of SCCL-sponsored Singareni Seva Samiti (SSS), a registered society established to educate and empower workmen and their families in literacy programmes, entrepreneur development and vocational training courses, hundreds of youth are proudly earning their livelihood.

Pre-army training

The pre-army training programme was a major initiative by the samiti. Retired defence personnel, working in SCCL, were roped in to train the youth. A record 170 youths joined the Army between 2001 and 2004.

A few others also made it to paramilitary and police services. While Army recruitment rallies absorbed a chunk of local youth, other self-employment training programmes effectively tackled high unemployment rate among youth.

The Additional General Manager (Welfare), G. Ailaiah, told The Hindu how the samiti had successfully trained girls and boys of workmen free of cost. He said: "These children used to lead carefree lives as they were assured of employment once the head of the family retired." After the dependant employment was abolished, the samiti had to step in to guide the youth to earn their livelihood through vocational training.

The samiti spent Rs. 74 lakhs to impart vocational training in 2003-2004 in all the 12 regions of SCCL. Courses like tailoring, photography and videography, air-conditioning and refrigeration and electrician-training course are much sought after.

The Khadi Gram Udyog Mahavidalaya, a Government institution, is providing subsidy of Rs. 30,000 to each youth to establish self-employment unit. "The offer has been lapped up by our boys," Mr. Ailaiah stated.

In yet another initiative, three welfare societies, formed by children of working and retired SCCL workers, had been allotted 50 acres for development in Godavarikhani, Ladnapur and Ratnapur.

Scholarships

Meritorious students are provided scholarships to pursue higher studies. Several others who are appearing for competitive examinations are also given assistance, Mr. Ailaiah pointed out.

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