An olive STEP to deal with drought

Rural youth being trained by ex-servicemen for the armed forces

Defence aspirants during a training session by the Society for Training and Employment(STEP) in Ongole

As drought has hit Prakasam district for the fifth consecutive year, Ramanjaneyulu, from nondescript Kakarla village, has lost hopes of practicing farming.

However, rigorous training being provided by the Society for Training and Employment (STEP) has come as a relief for the 21-year-old who wants to join the army.

It is not just Ramanjaneyulu who aims to clinch his ‘dream job’. More than 200 unemployed youths, mostly from remote villages in the western parts of the district, slog it out at the Police parade grounds every day under the watch of ex-servicemen and coaches from the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, to join one of the three services of the armed forces.

“We expect at least 80% of the trainees to make it during an army recruitment rally to be held in Kurnool on October 5,” says STEP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) B. Ravi, who guides trainees at both track and field events and in subjects like mathematics, science and general knowledge.

“We will prove our mettle during the selections,” say a confident group of youths after a tough training session.

Trainees were selected after preliminary screenings in Ongole, Kandukur, Markapur, and Giddalur. Only those who are medically fit were selected for the training, which began on August 22, adds Dr. Ravi.

The strenuous sessions start at dawn and continue until late evening, explains M. Raju Naik, a tribal youth from Pulalacheruvu village.

Wishing trainees to come out with flying colours at the rally, Prakasam Joint Collector S. Nagalakshmi presented them tracksuits and shoes.

A majority of the trainees are graduates, though those who have passed matriculation can compete for posts like soldier(general duty), soldier(tradesman) and soldier(clerk), adds Dr. Ravi, who has lodged the trainees at the Don Bosco School here.

A selected candidate could get a decent monthly salary of ₹35,000 to ₹ 40,000, he adds, in a conversation with The Hindu.

Track record

More than 100 aspirants trained by the STEP have made it to the armed forces in the last three years.