On Monday, Deputy Commissioner K. Vidya Kumari launched the district's inaugural Agnipath recruiting rally, which will run till 25 July at the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium in Ajjarkad, Udupi. Ms. Kumari, who spoke at the event, advised the candidates to set specific objectives in life and work hard to achieve them. She believes that failure should not discourage the future generation from pursuing success. She wished the youngsters who wanted to join the armed services under the Army's Agnipath initiative a good future.
665 candidates attended Monday's selection rally, including 41 from Chikkamagaluru, 59 from Udupi, 88 from Dakshina Kannada, 91 from Davangere, 92 from Shivamogga, and 294 from Haveri districts. Candidates were divided into hundreds and forced to run 1,600 metres at first. Those who finished the run in 5.30 minutes or 5.30-5.45 minutes were separated, while those who failed were dismissed. Candidates who fell short by a few seconds were observed imploring Army officials to consider them, even as the latter recommended them to try again another time. They had to perform trench jumping and pull-ups in addition to the 1,600 m run. A medical checkup was also performed to determine their physical criteria.
The district government has made significant preparations for the rally's smooth operation and has provided for candidates to stay in adjacent choultris and halls. The selection rally has attracted 6,800 applicants from Bagalakot, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Davangere, Gadag, Haveri, Chikkamagaluru, and Shivamogga districts. Agniveers-general duty, technical, tradesmen, and clerk/storekeeper roles would be recruited. In addition, DC Major General R.R. Raina, Army's Additional Director General (Recruitment), B.N. Veena, Mangaluru Army Recruitment Cell Head Colonel Anuj Gupta, and others were present.
