The PM Modi government recently launched ‘Nurture the Future’ mentorship programme, under which the Civil service probationers viz IAS, IPS, IRS will mentor adolescents and guide them during their educational and professional lives.
The initiative intends to provide mentorship to underprivileged and socially or economically-backward students studying in class 10 and above.
In line with ensuring a better and brighter future for the youth of India, this unique action was officially launched during the first-ever common foundation course for civil service trainees of the 2019 batch.
The Central government has identified 425 children from 11 villages in Kevadiya, Gujarat, where Statue of Unity is located, and an equal number of trainee officers from 20 civil services, including the IAS, IPS, IFS and IRS have been associated them with them. “We have linked the officer trainee and their mentee with their Aadhaar numbers,” said a senior official from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to The Print.
“The idea is in sync with the government’s desire to provide mentorship to those from underprivileged backgrounds, and also instil a sense of social responsibility among civil servants,” he added.
The programme will also ensure that these children continue to have access to these civil servants even when they become secretaries and top officers in other positions.
“My mentee was very curious to know what I do, the nature of my job, what he needs to achieve what I have achieved, among other things, there were some very innocent questions. If one can be successful without speaking English well? Or whether I’ve ever been to Mumbai or not?” said Vikram Virkar, a trainee IAS officer who has become a mentor to a class 10 student.
The DoPT is creating a portal for the extension of the programme. While only probationers at LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration) are a part of this programme at present, eventually all government training academies will be asked to adopt.
Also Read: Despite Growing Number Of Billionaires, India One Of The Least Charitable Nations