About project
Period: 01 June 2018 – 15 May 2019
Place: Srinagar, Kashmir
Subject: Army HPCL Kashmir Super 30 (Medical)/Centre of Excellence
The project in March 2018, embarked upon a journey to transform the lives of 35 Kashmiri students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Indian Army, HPCL as corporate partner and NIEDO as training partner joined hands and started up a fully residential facility in Srinagar, to coach and mentor these 35 students for National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), formerly the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT). After a gruelling one year of intense coaching and mentoring, which included academics, psychological coaching and motivational counselling. All 35 students cracked the NEET examination in 2019. After the final round of counselling, 12 students got through MBBS, BDS 3, BV,Sc 2, B.Sc ( Agri) 2, B.Sc (Nursing) 2, B.Tech 2, 7 in allied branches.
The project was run under CSR initiatives of Indian PSU HPCL who have incorporated CSR initiatives in their policies and were willing to partner with the project and was entirely managed by a Kanpur based educational trust, National Integrity & Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO). Army provided requisite accommodation, oversaw and monitored the progress of the project. The project additionally employed 7 marginalised locals in administrative duties within the centre.
Our Challenge Was
To transform the lives of 35 Kashmiri heroes, post some real diligence. They together joined hands and started up a facility in the heart of Srinagar to coach and mentor these 35 students, all of them coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds for a period of one year for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), formerly the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT).
Process
The fructification of the project was based primarily on the three project partners; whose envisaged detailed roles are as under in subsequent paras: –
- The Army – The association of the Army was restricted to providing basic accommodation, initial set up of the project, launch and subsequent overseeing and monitoring the progress of the project
- Corporate Partner – The project was run under CSR initiatives of Indian PSU, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) who have incorporated CSR initiatives in their policies and were willing to partner with the project. The funds were routed through Indian Army. The estimated requirement of funds was as under the following heads and were to be provided by the corporate partner.
- Selection Cost – to include travelling cost, advertisement, print & digital, setting up & printing of question papers and interview & counselling session.
- Initial Expenditure – to include dresses for children, furniture, bedding, crockery, cutlery, teaching aids, smart classrooms, kitchen, cook house, entire course content, stationary, library, recreational facilities and miscellaneous expenditure.
- Annual Running Expenditure – to include operational, manpower and administrative cost.
- Training partner (NIEDO) – Managed the entire centre, including academics, administration, fooding & lodging, mentoring and daily running. Was responsible for the management of the project and its execution.
Result
All 35 students cracked the NEET.
- 12 got through MBBS
- 3 got through BDS
- 2 BV,Sc
- 2 B.Sc ( Agri)
- 2B.Sc (Nursing)
- 2 B.Tech
- balance 7 students got through Allied branches
Conclusion
Above splendid result symbolises the aspirations and flamboyance of today’s Kashmiri youth who aspire a life beyond a belligerent climate and kudos to the institution which is at the forefront of enjoining the local society with the mainstream populace – Indian Army and ably supported by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. Further after the abrogation of article 370 and 35A in J&K, NIEDO was the solitary agency still functioning successfully with the children being unaffected at all by the turmoil, in Srinagar. This has been one of the significant achievements for NIEDO which was possible because of their goodwill earned amongst the civil society and belief over a period of time and concept of working towards excellence and psychological wellbeing apart from educational/professional success. together with able administration of NIEDO staff, faculty and the centre manager, an alumnus of IIT, Bombay who are all respectably inculcated with a sense of sympathy and empathy in all their dealings with the kids.