In a unique community initiative, the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissionerate has taken on the role of mentor for thousands of young job aspirants in North Karnataka. The police force is now conducting free workshops and training sessions to help students crack tough competitive examinations like the UPSC.
A Response to Student Needs
The innovative program was born from direct observation. Police Commissioner N Shashikumar explained that during their regular visits to colleges and coaching centres, officers noticed a significant gap. They encountered many candidates who were dedicated to their studies but lacked proper guidance and strategy. Recognising this need, the police department decided to leverage its own human resources.
"In our department, we have staff members who have recently cracked these exams to join the police force. So, we decided to help students by allowing them to interact with our staff," Commissioner Shashikumar stated. The department successfully organised a major workshop last month in Dharwad, which saw an overwhelming turnout of more than 8,000 candidates.
Expanding the Initiative: A Five-Day Free Workshop
Encouraged by the massive response, the police have now launched an expanded phase of support. Starting from a recent Monday, they are conducting a five-day free workshop simultaneously across ten colleges in the Hubballi-Dharwad region. This large-scale effort is designed to reach even more students.
The instruction is being delivered by a special group of trainers: ten Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs) who are currently on probation. These officers were originally in Belagavi to perform duties related to the legislative session but have been strategically deployed for this educational mission. "These staff are now conducting the five-day workshop on the sidelines of their duties," added Shashikumar.
Subjects Covered and Overwhelming Participation
The workshops offer comprehensive guidance on a wide range of subjects crucial for competitive exams. The curriculum includes:
- Economics
- Precis-writing
- Current Affairs
- Science and Technology
The PSIs, who have firsthand experience of the examination process, take turns on a rotational basis to address student doubts and queries. This peer-to-peer mentoring approach has proven highly effective.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Mahaning Nandagavi reported a consistently strong response. Following the success of the previous workshop, the current series is also attracting substantial crowds, with approximately 500 students participating in each of the ten colleges.
This initiative is particularly significant for the region. Hubballi-Dharwad has become an educational hub, attracting UPSC and other competitive exam hopefuls from districts like Gadag, Haveri, Vijayapur, Bagalkot, Kalaburagi, and Bidar. Many students camp in the twin cities for preparation, with some coaching centres even providing hostel facilities. The police department's program directly supports these dedicated aspirants, providing them with free, quality guidance and boosting their chances of success in securing government jobs.
