Harsh Vardhan Shringla, GTA Take Initiative to Coach UPSC Candidates from Hills

EOI, DARJEELING, AUGUST 14: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, in collaboration with the Darjeeling Welfare Society (DWS), a non-political social organization, has taken the initiative to offer free Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) coaching classes for interested candidates.

The coaching was launched on Wednesday at Lalkothi in the presence of GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa and Harsh Vardhan Shringla, founder president of DWS, the brain behind the idea.

“This will certainly benefit students who are interested in taking UPSC examination coaching classes. He (Shringla) will lead this programme. We feel that the students are progressing in their education compared to the past. Many from the hills have cracked examinations in medical and UPSC. We want to motivate them further,” Thapa said.

The GTA chairman said that for the initial stage, the council has sanctioned Rs 30 lakh and that more funds would be allotted if and when required.

Shringla expressed gratitude to the GTA and said the initiative would benefit the youths of the hills in preparing for the prestigious civil services examination.

“This is a good day for the people of Darjeeling because now they will be able to avail themselves of free UPSC coaching. In many states across the country, such free coaching is provided for students. In the hills, there are remote areas from where youths are coming for their coaching. This is a happy moment for us as the youths from the hills will get a level playing field to pass the UPSC," he said.

Interestingly, Shringla was the chief coordinator of the G20 summit that was organized in Darjeeling and was instrumental in bringing various important multinational, domestic, and international companies to the hills, providing on-site interviews and jobs to the youths.

“This year, four students from the hills were successful in passing the UPSC examination, and with this coaching now being provided, I feel that the next time, this figure will increase further, making the people in the hills proud,” Shringla said.

The DWS President said that in the first batch, about 60 students had already enrolled, and there were chances of more enrolling for UPSC coaching. “For the guidance of students, we will bring in experienced people from Delhi,” Shringla said. For candidates in remote locations, the emphasis would be on online classes.

KalimNews: The free UPSC coaching classes will run for 15 months. Aspirants from Darjeeling will receive mentorship from top educators, with guidance from successful IAS, IFS, and IPS officers. 

After the inauguration, Anit Thapa stated, "This initiative has been started through the efforts of Mr. Singhrala. It is a significant achievement for the Darjeeling hills. He has come forward as a guardian for the region." 

He further added, "The GTA has built roads and undertaken other development works. We believe there should also be progress in education, which is why GTA is sponsoring this initiative. We have allocated 30 lakh rupees for the first phase, and the work will expand based on demand."