Udhampur

The Army has started a month-long pre-recruitment training for youths intending to join the armed forces under the Agnipath scheme in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district.

This is for the first time the Army has organised pre-recruitment training in Panchari Tehsil of the district.

The training programme is being conducted by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) for the duration of one month.

Over 90 youths from Panchari Tehsil and surrounding villages of the Udhampur district are attending the training.

The programme includes physical training classes, running, push-ups, crunches, and other exercises. Classes are also being conducted to prepare the aspirants for the written examination.

"We are thankful to the Indian Army for organising a pre-recruitment training programme for youth who hail from the far-flung and remote corner of the district Udhampur," said Ashfak Ahamed an aspirant from Ladha village.

Ahamed said that the Army is providing them all facilities that are needed in the preparation for the recruitment.

"We are from the backward area of the district and we wanted to join the Indian Army. But we had no facility for training and classes. But now the Army is helping us and we are very thankful for them. From every panchayat and village, four to five youths are here to take training. The Army is proving us with the best training and education," said Ravinder Khajuria from Village Kultyar Bala.

The Union Cabinet on June 14 approved a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces called Agnipath. The youth selected under this scheme will be known as 'Agniveers'.

After four years, only 25 per cent of the ‘Agniveers’ will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness.

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The other 75 per cent 'Agniveers' will be demobilized, with an exit or "Seva Nidhi" package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.