Srinagar, June 16: A social enterprise group is all set to discuss the ‘poor representation of’ the youth from Jammu and Kashmir in the elite civil services and also suggest ways and means to address the issue, which is under debate in the state for quite sometime now.
 The ASCENT GROUP, run by the former Indian Administrative Service Officer Muhammad Shafi Pandit, is holding a daylong seminar-cum-workshop on June 18 to discuss the issue.
 The seminar titled “How to crack the civil services examination” shall be held at the SK International Convention Centre.
 According to the Group, the event, being held with the financial support of the J&K Bank, is being organized to enhance awareness and motivation among the youth for competing in civil service examinations.
 “The poor representation of the state youth especially from the Valley in all the elite civil and professional services of the country has really been a matter of concern for all and this is the reason why the issue has continuously been debated in different quarters of society,” said Pandit.
 “In particular, the issue of representation in the civil services has attained criticality as this germane not only to good governance but also from the standpoint of being participants in the governance process.”
 Elaborating, Pandit said, “It is not encouraging that after a half a century of administrative integration of the state with India, during which more than 4000 young men and women were recruited to the IAS and other allied civil services, not more than two dozen persons qualified from J&K State as direct recruits. The representation of educated youth from the state in the other elite service options pursuant to professional courses like IIT, IIM, is no better and, in some cases, even worse.”
 According to the observers, a large number of candidates have the potential to crack the civil service examinations. “This is amply borne out by the selection of Shah Faisal at the top of the list for UPSC 2009 and, prior to that, two other officers in the first three ranks of the respective lists. There is a dire need to make the youth of valley aware about the civil service examinations who otherwise possess competence but just need a proper exposure and timely guidance to crack the prestigious examinations,” they said.
 Pertinently, the ASCENT GROUP aims to focus on developing a highly skilled manpower through education, training and mentoring. It organized an orientation and awareness program for diverse career options, with a special focus on Civil Services on December 22, 2009, at SKICC themed “Catch Them Young for Excellence.” The Group has also been providing counselling, coaching and mentoring with faculty support from reputed institutions of the country to the aspirants of various civil services, with a  focus on the civil services at the state and central levels.
 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be the Chief Guest at the June 18 seminar while GR Sufi, Chief Information Commissioner, J&K, will preside over the function and Dr Talat Ahmed Vice Chancellor Kashmir University and Dr GN Qazi, Vice Chancellor Jamia Hamdard University will be the Guests of Honour.
 “The aspirants will be able to receive guidance from various experts of the country like   PS Ravindaran from Vajiram and Ravi, AR Khan from Khan Study Group, Satya from Career Launcher India Ltd, Firdausi (Jamia Hamdard University), MS Pandit (former chairman J & K Public Service Commission) and others".

Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST