A concerted attempt is on in this backward and remote town of the state to replicate the success of now famous Super 30, albeit with some differences. While Super 30 of Patna coaches 30 students for cracking the IIT-JEE entrance examination, the initiative at Banka is aimed at helping the underprivileged crack the UPSC's Civil Services Examination. A brainchild of Banka DM Deepak Anand and Trainee IAS Mithilesh Mishra, this initiative, christened Super-12, took off on 12.12.2012. It has picked up 12 meritorious students and is providing them free coaching to help them come out with flying colours in the much-coveted examination.
Meet Kamdeo Das, a native of an obscure village in this district. Vehicles fitted with beacons always fascinated him and he dreamed of joining the civil services, driven by a keen desire to ameliorate the condition of the poor in the backward areas of the country. But his dream seemed destined to meet an untimely death in the face of harsh realities of being born in underprivileged personal, societal and geographical surroundings. In an area under extremist influence, academic and competitive pursuits are scarce. Similar was the predicament of Ram Sagar, Nitesh, Sushil, Arghaya Deepak, Randhir, Gyan Vikash, Priyaranjan, Birendra, Amit Roushan, Gulzar Mukul and Abhinav, all belonging to various parts of this district.
But thanks to DM Deepak Anand and Mithilesh Mishra, the dreams of all these 12 bright youth have now got wings. They are getting quality coaching entirely free. Now, gloom has given way to hope in their minds. They have been chosen by the two IAS officers through a rigorous selection procedure. DM Anand said out of 350 aspirants, 60 students were shortlisted after a preliminary examination. Then, another written examination was held and 21 aspirants were selected for interview. Finally, 12 made it to the select group. Now, they are being given specialized guidance and coaching of different subjects and given exposure to 'smart study' methods.
The DM, who is an IAS official of 2007 batch, uses the inspiring motto of Lord Buddha - 'Appa Deepo Bhava' (be a light unto yourself) - before starting his classes on all the days when he finds time. "Majority of the 'Super-12' students belong to underprivileged bracket and have been provided free hostel and other facilities to concentrate on studies," said Anand. The newspapers and magazines that he buys for himself are provided to the students for preparing for general studies, the DM said, adding local experts of different subjects engage classes on Saturday and Sunday. IAS trainee Mithilesh Kumar, deputy collector Lalit Kumar Singh, SP Vikash Burman and other officials also engage classes in their spare time.
The students were also taken to coaching centres in Delhi to see the teaching methods adopted at famed centres, said the DM, adding it was to impress in the minds of the youth that ultimately it is one's own studies and hard work that leads to success in most of the competitive examinations.
Many specialist teachers from outside the state have also expressed interest in teaching the 'Super-12' students. They have volunteered to come down to Banka and engage classes every month, said the DM, adding study material on different subjects besides books are provided to the students from the small library put up at the Super-12 centre.
When asked whether the novel endeavour was limited to 12 meritorious students only, the DM said though the focus was on 'Super-12', many youth, including girls, from different sections of society were attending the classes and their number was swelling. "All needy and dedicated students are welcome to attend the classes and get guidance," he added.
But thanks to DM Deepak Anand and Mithilesh Mishra, the dreams of all these 12 bright youth have now got wings. They are getting quality coaching entirely free. Now, gloom has given way to hope in their minds. They have been chosen by the two IAS officers through a rigorous selection procedure. DM Anand said out of 350 aspirants, 60 students were shortlisted after a preliminary examination. Then, another written examination was held and 21 aspirants were selected for interview. Finally, 12 made it to the select group. Now, they are being given specialized guidance and coaching of different subjects and given exposure to 'smart study' methods.
The DM, who is an IAS official of 2007 batch, uses the inspiring motto of Lord Buddha - 'Appa Deepo Bhava' (be a light unto yourself) - before starting his classes on all the days when he finds time. "Majority of the 'Super-12' students belong to underprivileged bracket and have been provided free hostel and other facilities to concentrate on studies," said Anand. The newspapers and magazines that he buys for himself are provided to the students for preparing for general studies, the DM said, adding local experts of different subjects engage classes on Saturday and Sunday. IAS trainee Mithilesh Kumar, deputy collector Lalit Kumar Singh, SP Vikash Burman and other officials also engage classes in their spare time.
The students were also taken to coaching centres in Delhi to see the teaching methods adopted at famed centres, said the DM, adding it was to impress in the minds of the youth that ultimately it is one's own studies and hard work that leads to success in most of the competitive examinations.
Many specialist teachers from outside the state have also expressed interest in teaching the 'Super-12' students. They have volunteered to come down to Banka and engage classes every month, said the DM, adding study material on different subjects besides books are provided to the students from the small library put up at the Super-12 centre.
When asked whether the novel endeavour was limited to 12 meritorious students only, the DM said though the focus was on 'Super-12', many youth, including girls, from different sections of society were attending the classes and their number was swelling. "All needy and dedicated students are welcome to attend the classes and get guidance," he added.
The guiding spirits behind the move are hopeful that the students of 'Super-12', as also other students attending the classes, would be successful in the UPSC examination. The DM said there were many similarities between his own student life at Sitamarhi (from where he did schooling up to plus two level and then BA and MA from Patna University) and that of the underprivileged students of Banka.
The focus is on changing the mindset of students with exposure to orientation programmes, smart studies, increasing the memorizing ability, promoting group studies and discussion, general studies, besides subjects that are taught by them and other experts, the DM said. "We are not taking any financial help from anyone," he said, adding the help is in the form of imparting knowledge and time spared by the subject experts for the students.
The focus is on changing the mindset of students with exposure to orientation programmes, smart studies, increasing the memorizing ability, promoting group studies and discussion, general studies, besides subjects that are taught by them and other experts, the DM said. "We are not taking any financial help from anyone," he said, adding the help is in the form of imparting knowledge and time spared by the subject experts for the students.
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