Amid complaints of mismanagement by the district administration for the ongoing recruitment rally of Indian Army, senior officials today claimed that there were proper arrangements done for stay of hundreds of aspirants in selected premises but they hardly care to visit the places.
SDO, Ranchi, Anjali Yadav, said, “We have been careful in ensuring that the rally runs in a seamless manner. Three nearby schools have been readied for the shelter of these candidates. But, the candidates want to stay closest to the location. We have even facilitated their stay at Morhabadi ground by providing seven mobile toilets and provisions for drinking water. If the situation calls for, we are ready to increase the number of schools to accommodate as many as possible.”
Colonel Deepak Dayal, Army Recruitment Officer, added, “The situation is much better as compared to the last year, but these candidates do not want to go to a farther location. They are afraid of getting late and missing the entry time at dawn. The district administration is supporting us in making Morhabadi an ideal location for the rally.”
The Morhabadi ground is bustling with participants from across Jharkhand. There is an influx of approximately 5000 people every day for the army recruitments. In Morabadi, hundreds can be seen sleeping under the open sky with their blankets on, despite arrangements being in place.
The lack of direction boards have left the candidates wondering. Direction, to the schools where the boarding facilities have been provided, is missing. Aspirants even had a tough time finding their way to the mobile toilets placed near the registration desks. Confused youths looked immensely dissatisfied, claiming no arrangements have been made for toilets and lodging.
A worn-out aspirant from Garhwa district, Deepak Tiwari, said, “We reached today morning and without any knowledge of the city, we expected arrangements to have been provided in the nearby grounds, in the likes of, Children’s Park and Oxygen Park. To our surprise, both the premises were shut down.”
This employment opportunity provided by the Indian Army is being seen as a welcome to change to the many job-seekers. Where majority wish to serve the motherland by joining the army, some have no option left but the army.
Shivesh Dubey from Garhwa district was checking his certificates, under the streetlights, in front of the Oxygen Park.
He said, “We are poor people from the general quota, who find it difficult to make both ends meet. There is a dearth of job opportunities in our area for us. The system of reservation has left no options for me but trying for the Army. I hope I can give my best.”
Fighting Naxalism was on another’s wish-list. Bindeshwar Singh belonging to a village in latehar district said, “I want to develop my personality by joining the Army. Additionally, there is an increasing menace of Maoists in our area. I wish to see peace restored in my village and it can be done only by eliminating the Maoists.”