News & Announcement
Chairman of SWB Leads Educational Tour to Encourage Youth to Pursue Careers in Armed Forces
Gangtok, February 24 (IPR): In a significant initiative aimed at motivating the youth of Sikkim to consider careers in the Armed Forces, the Chairman, Students’ Welfare Board (SWB), Mr Sonam Chopel Sherpa led an educational excursion for 60 students from remote and rural schools of the State to various Indian Army establishments in and around Gangtok today.
The students, accompanied by six teachers and members of the Students’ Welfare Board, represented all six districts, with 10 students from each district participating in the exposure tour. The programme was specifically organised to provide students with firsthand experience of the life, discipline, career structure and opportunities available in the Armed Forces, thereby enabling them to make informed career choices.
The Students’ Welfare Board expressed its gratitude to Lieutenant General Manraj Singh Mann, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General M S Rathore, Lt Col Avishek Sharma and Lt Col Snehasis Sahu for facilitating the visit and extending support for the successful conduct of the programme.
The excursion commenced with a visit to the Army’s Libing area at Lower Syari where students were introduced to various eco-friendly initiatives including a baling plant, organic composting machine, plastic shredder for recycling and the Army Eco Park. Army officials sensitised the students on sustainable waste management practices and environmental conservation.
The students then visited the 5th Mile Artillery Display, where Army personnel conducted a live demonstration of the Bofors artillery system and shared technical insights into its operational role, including its significance during the Kargil War. The interactive session allowed students to engage directly with officers and gain clarity on various aspects of military service.
At Kyongnosla, an Army officer briefed the students on eligibility criteria, recruitment procedures and provisions under the Agniveer Scheme, a Government of India initiative that offers structured opportunities for youth to serve in the Indian Army. Students were encouraged to prepare themselves academically and physically to pursue a career in the Armed Forces.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman, Students’ Welfare Board, Mr Sonam Chopel Sherpa, emphasised that the core objective of the initiative was to expose students to the vast career prospects within the Armed Forces and to empower them to consciously choose military service as a dignified and rewarding profession. He stated that such exposure visits are designed to instil confidence, clarity and a sense of national responsibility among the youth.
He further highlighted the youth-centric initiatives of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, which have significantly broadened employment avenues and created new platforms for young people in the State to explore diverse career pathways, including defence services.
The Chairman also informed that the Board plans to organise similar visits to Indian Air Force and Indian Navy establishments in the future to ensure that students receive comprehensive exposure to all branches of the Armed Forces and are able to choose their career paths with awareness and conviction.
The programme concluded with positive feedback from participating students who expressed renewed motivation and interest in exploring careers in the Armed Forces, reaffirming the commitment of the Students’ Welfare Board to guide and support Sikkimese youth in shaping purposeful and service-oriented futures.
The students, accompanied by six teachers and members of the Students’ Welfare Board, represented all six districts, with 10 students from each district participating in the exposure tour. The programme was specifically organised to provide students with firsthand experience of the life, discipline, career structure and opportunities available in the Armed Forces, thereby enabling them to make informed career choices.
The Students’ Welfare Board expressed its gratitude to Lieutenant General Manraj Singh Mann, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General M S Rathore, Lt Col Avishek Sharma and Lt Col Snehasis Sahu for facilitating the visit and extending support for the successful conduct of the programme.
The excursion commenced with a visit to the Army’s Libing area at Lower Syari where students were introduced to various eco-friendly initiatives including a baling plant, organic composting machine, plastic shredder for recycling and the Army Eco Park. Army officials sensitised the students on sustainable waste management practices and environmental conservation.
The students then visited the 5th Mile Artillery Display, where Army personnel conducted a live demonstration of the Bofors artillery system and shared technical insights into its operational role, including its significance during the Kargil War. The interactive session allowed students to engage directly with officers and gain clarity on various aspects of military service.
At Kyongnosla, an Army officer briefed the students on eligibility criteria, recruitment procedures and provisions under the Agniveer Scheme, a Government of India initiative that offers structured opportunities for youth to serve in the Indian Army. Students were encouraged to prepare themselves academically and physically to pursue a career in the Armed Forces.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman, Students’ Welfare Board, Mr Sonam Chopel Sherpa, emphasised that the core objective of the initiative was to expose students to the vast career prospects within the Armed Forces and to empower them to consciously choose military service as a dignified and rewarding profession. He stated that such exposure visits are designed to instil confidence, clarity and a sense of national responsibility among the youth.
He further highlighted the youth-centric initiatives of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, which have significantly broadened employment avenues and created new platforms for young people in the State to explore diverse career pathways, including defence services.
The Chairman also informed that the Board plans to organise similar visits to Indian Air Force and Indian Navy establishments in the future to ensure that students receive comprehensive exposure to all branches of the Armed Forces and are able to choose their career paths with awareness and conviction.
The programme concluded with positive feedback from participating students who expressed renewed motivation and interest in exploring careers in the Armed Forces, reaffirming the commitment of the Students’ Welfare Board to guide and support Sikkimese youth in shaping purposeful and service-oriented futures.
