With an eye on upcoming large-scale recruitment in the state police and central armed police forces, West Midnapore Police on Wednesday launched ‘Prostuti’ (preparation), a pilot programme aimed at equipping school students with the physical fitness, academic skills and discipline required to crack competitive recruitment examinations.
The initiative, rolled out in Keshpur and Anandapur, will initially cover around 500-600 students from different higher secondary schools, including nearly 350 girls, and is expected to be expanded across the district in phases.
Launching the programme, West Midnapore Superintendent of Police Papia Sultana said the project was conceived in line with the Chief Minister’s vision of creating employment opportunities for the state’s youth through police recruitment.
Under the programme, serving police personnel will mentor students and provide training in physical endurance, drill and fitness required for police constable and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) recruitment, besides coaching them for the written examinations.
Addressing the students, Ms Sultana stressed that preparation for competitive examinations should begin as early as Classes IX and X, as questions in police recruitment tests are largely based on subjects such as history, geography, mathematics, English, Bengali and general knowledge taught at that level.
“The preparation starts now. Discipline is the biggest strength. Study not only on the days you feel like studying, but even more on the days you don’t. That is what discipline means,” she told the gathering.
In a motivational address directed particularly at girl students, the SP urged them to dream big and strive for financial independence before making life decisions.
“Stand on your own feet first. Build your own career and become financially independent. Then you should decide when to marry, whom to marry and how to lead your life. Your parents have done their part by raising and educating you; now it is your responsibility to give back to society and make them proud,” she said.
She also cautioned students against distractions during their teenage years, urging them to remain focused on their long-term goals and career aspirations.
The district police chief said the initiative reflects the role of the police not only as a law enforcement agency but also as a partner in shaping the future of young people, particularly girls, by promoting confidence, self-reliance and career readiness.
Among the beneficiaries, Sathi Ghosh, a student of Tukuriapat High School, welcomed the initiative, saying it had inspired students to begin preparing seriously for competitive examinations. Besides physical training, the programme will also provide coaching in general knowledge, general intelligence and other subjects relevant to recruitment tests, she said, while thanking the police and school authorities for introducing the scheme.