Free Army recruitment training for Minority students in Kerala

Kozhikode: The Sachar Committee constituted to look into the representation of Muslims in various segments of private and public sector employment, in its report had specified regarding the underrepresentation of Muslims in the Indian Army and recommended a headcount of Muslims in the various posts of the Army. But the government move to headcount Muslims in the army was strongly opposed by the then Army Chief JJ Singh and opposition leader LK Advani, as they raised an argument that the move could harm the spirit of the institution.

Based on the recommendations by Sachar Committee and other Judicial Commissions appointed, training sessions and coaching centres were set up all through out the state, for making the minority students competitive in exams like UPSC, SSC, State level PSC exams and UGC NET. But not much cared for providing training to minority students, in order to make them competitive in the physical and written tests conducted by Army twice a year all through out the country.

It is in this context the Minority Welfare Department [MWD] have taken up the initiative of providing special training to minority students who have passed their10th level, aged in between 18-23 years and are found to fulfil the physical requirements like 170 cm's of height. The task taken up has been the first of its kind by any Minority Welfare Department in the country.

The training for both physical and written tests is expected to start by September 15th at Kozhikode RTDC and will last for two months. Training sessions will be lead by top retired army officers and experts. This year the MWD plans to accommodate 50 students in the course.

Dr P Nazeer, Director of Kerala MWD told TCN, "Our aim is to create awareness and provide coaching to the majority of the state's minority student applicants in the near future. Facilities like free food and accommodation has been arranged for the students attending the two month training session this year onwards".

The recruitment for the post of soldier is carried out twice a year through an open rally system in notified areas all through out the country, which is broad based and every Indian male citizen, irrespective of caste, class, religion and domicile, is eligible of getting recruited, provided he meets the age, educational, physical and medical standards. The recruitment program is published in local newspaper, two weeks prior to the conduct of the rally by the concerned ZROs [Zonal Recruiting Officers] and concerned BROs [Branch Recruitment Offices].

Link to the career page of the official website of Indian Army:http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=AO3bC...