acing a white compound wall which stands at an arms distance away and trying to sit erect on a foldable chair, 26-year-old Rajendra from Adilabad district is unfazed by neither the scorching heat nor the chatter of hundreds of people.
His sunken eyes are focused, on a writing pad and reference books resting on the cardboard pad on his lap, and intermittently on the wall in front. The youngster, like scores of others, is a regular at the City Central Library at Chikkadpally and one of the many who want to crack the competitive Groups exams that is likely to be conducted by the newly formed Telangana State Public Service Commission in the coming months.
“I do not even remember when the examinations were held for Group 1, 2 and other government services in the united state of AP” said Rajendra “I have been waiting for more than two years for the government to fill up vacancies and simultaneously preparing for it. Finally, am hopeful that the date for the competitive exams will be announced soon and I do not want to throw it away at any cost.” said Rajendra.
The Telangana State Public Service Commission (TPSSC) is yet to issue notifications for the Groups examinations but the anticipation is high for a large number of youth. Libraries, like the one in Chikkadpally and Osmania University are now crowded with the aspirants.
While some make a beeline to make good use of the reference books available in the library, for most others it is the sheer ambience that sets them in the studious mode. “I have come at around 10 a.m. and will only go back at night,” said K Rajeshwar Kumar, a post graduate from Nizamabad who was at the Chikkadpally library on a Monday when the library was closed. “I do not feel like studying in my room as I tend to fall sleepy. Here, I can have group discussions on various topics and I realise the seriousness of the exam just by watching other people,” he says.
One can find students scattered everywhere on the library campus, from library halls to open spaces. Most get their own chairs, study tables and lock it to the window and door grills.
“The visitors to the library have more than doubled after there were reports that competitive exams might be held soon. At any given time, there are up to 800 students in our library,” said AVN Raju, secretary, City Central Library. “We have extended the working hours of the library as it is now open till 11 p.m. for the students. Apart from providing drinking water facility, we are also accepting requests from students for new books.”
The Competitive Examinations Reference Library (CERL) at Osmania University too is trying to stock up the latest reference books looking at the demand.
“We have funds of up to Rs. 1 lakh. Since the competitive exams are approaching, we are spending the money to buy the latest material,” said Yadagiri, Chief Librarian, Osmania University Library. The library is also being kept open till 12 a.m., he added.
Libraries in the city are crowded with candidates
eager to take a crack
at the Group exams
