TASK to train Telangana youths for defence forces

HYDERABAD: If you have a tattoo and want to join the Army, you may not be allowed to do so. This is because the Army has a strict policy regarding where tattoos are permitted on the body, something that may aspirants are unaware of.
To help youth tackle unexpected hurdles such as this, the Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK) has begun training candidates.
Training session in Warangal
“Telangana has less representation in the Armed Forces. This is because a large number of people do not know that the Forces provide an amazing window of opportunity to better one’s life. Besides this, candidates are unaware of what are the physical, medical and educational requirements to join,” says Brig (retd) C S Sree Ramulu who has been heading the training programme for TASK.
Ramulu says, “Candidates get disqualified because they have a tattoo in a place that is not allowed by the Armed Forces or because they have a flatfoot, or slight bow legs. Many do not even know about the medical conditions till their hopes are crushed. We carry out a thorough check on these scores and provide physical training and help them crack the exam.”
Incidentally, tattoos are only permitted on inner face of forearm i.e., from inside of elbow to the wrist and on the reverse side of palm (dorsal side of hand). Only candidates from tribal community are allowed to have tattoos wherever they prefer. Racist, sexist and other derogatory tattoos are not allowed. The restrictions are primarily over health concerns.
The aim of the training programme is also to showcase other opportunities beyond the IT-centric approach that students have in the state. Shrikant Sinha, CEO, TASK, says: “While most of the training we do caters to the IT industry, we hope to open up other opportunities for the youth as well. Students who are undecided about their future have many doors open to them. The Forces provide a life of respect that many dream of.”
Last year, 380 candidates were trained under the programme for armed.
This year, the training is to start in August. Students will be put through the training at two centres: Warangal and Ramagundam. A minimal fee is collected from aspirants to keep them vested in the training, while TASK takes up the majority of the funding for the programme.