Seminar on career opportunities held in Sopore for IIT, NDA aspirants

Sopore, May 13: Founder and CEO of Career Group, Er Vinay Rai on Wednesday said that discipline, structured mentoring and early career counselling were key to steering Valley youth towards national-level opportunities such as IITs and the NDA.

He stressed that students in Jammu and Kashmir possess “immense talent” but lack proper guidance and exposure.

Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a daylong seminar on “Gateway to IIT and NDA opportunities” organised by Career Defence School in Sopore, Rai said he was impressed by the curiosity and confidence shown by students from the Valley, particularly younger students from classes 6 and 7.

Students from different schools across Kashmir participated in interactive sessions on competitive examinations, scholarships, hostel facilities and career planning. “The kind of questions children are asking here shows strong curiosity and potential among them. What these students need is proper guidance, discipline and a system that keeps them engaged in positive activities,” he said.

Rai said Career Defence School focuses not only on preparing students for examinations like JEE, NDA, NEET and RIMC, but also on personality development, communication skills and leadership training. “Career Defence School is not only about defence services. Discipline is required in every field whether one becomes a doctor, engineer, journalist or businessman,” he said.

He further added that engaging children in sports and structured activities can also help counter social problems like drug abuse.

He said the institution integrates academics with sports, NCC training and personality grooming to create an environment where students remain motivated by seeing peers progress into officer ranks and national-level careers.

Rai also briefed about the scholarship and subsidy schemes available for students, particularly children of central government employees and security personnel. He claimed many families in J&K remain unaware of hostel and education subsidies provided under existing government provisions.

“Students from economically weaker backgrounds are also being offered scholarships ranging from 50 to 70 percent based on merit and academic performance,” he said. Rai said the level of confidence and communication skills he witnessed among Kashmiri students was “better than many parts of north India”, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

He urged parents to focus on supporting children through the learning process rather than putting them under constant pressure over results. MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar was the chief guest at the occasion while Tehsildar Sopore Shiekh Tariq was the guest of honour.

In his address, MLA Sopore said such seminars help students understand career opportunities and encourage them to compete at national platforms. Shiekh Tariq stressed the importance of hard work, discipline and moral values in student life.