Srinagar: J&K Bank sponsored Rise Talent Search Examination (RTSE) concluded yesterday with prize distribution among the students who topped in the said examination. The prizes and merit certificates among the students were distributed at a simple but impressive function held at J&K Bank corporate headquarters.
The Chief Guest for the event was Abdul Rauf Bhat, Executive President, J&K Bank. While as Mohammad Shafi Pandit (retired IAS), Chairman of Ascent Group, was guest of honour on the occasion. Both the dignitaries distributed prizes among the students
Speaking about RTSE and the support J&K Bank has lend to the initiative, Abdul Rauf Bhat said, “J&K Bank is always forthcoming in supporting such initiatives as they identify and encourage talent, inspire local youth to think big, train and guide them to realize their potential. Further, the fact that the initiative is being taken by local IIT graduates adds weight and worth, sense and seriousness to the idea.”
Further, he emphasized on and advised the RISE team to develop quality coaching facilities for other competitive examinations, at graduate and post-graduate level, as well, as that is the need of the hour for a geographically remote region like the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Guest of Honour, Mohammad Shafi Pandit, spoke about the state of educational awareness in Kashmir. He said, “Back in time, when I was preparing for civil services, I faced similar, but bigger, challenges that students face these days. There was lack of information and awareness w. r. t. civil services or any other competitive examinations. The situation is still grim, as most of the students of the valley are unaware of the educational opportunities that they can avail, and lack the necessary guidance to pursue the same. RISE is doing a commendable job in addressing these bottle-necks. Identifying talented students and apprising them about the educational opportunities, and encouraging them to chase excellence is the need of the hour.”
RTSE, which was conducted over a period of 3 months, was taken by approximately 15,000 students from 8 districts of Kashmir division. The aim of this activity was to identify, counsel and mentor talented students in the pursuit of their ambitions. Through RTSE, Rise identified over 500 talented students from Science, Commerce and humanities stream, and provided them with necessary counseling by experts. At the prize distribution ceremony, the first three positions of Humanities, Commerce and Science streams from Class 11th, 12th and 10th were awarded cash prizes for their achievements. The toppers included students from various schools, government and private, of Bandipora, Shopian, Sopore, Baramulla, Ganderbal & Budgam.
Shah-i-Hamdan Memorial Institute from Shopian received the award of Best School in the valley as it produced the top 3 positions of Class 10th in RTSE. Adeeba Tak, Topper of RTSE Class 10th was exhilarated on receiving the first prize trophy and the cash prize. (KNS)
