Srinagar: A senior IPS officer has started distributing free books to students, hailing from remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir, in order to help them crack competitive examinations.
Basant Rath, an IGP rank officer, uses social media to reach out to aspirants who want to crack competitive examinations like NEET and JEE.
“Anyone needs a book on UGC NET Commerce? DM (direct message) me your complete address and mobile number,” he tweeted.
“Friends, if you are from Kupwara, Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama or Shopian and if you want this book, please come over to my place on Sunday between 1 PM to 3 PM. No questions asked. No answers given,” he wrote in another tweet.
The police officer from Odisha feels that people from remote parts of the state are as talented as those in the cities and towns but lack of resources often become a major obstacle in their progress.
Rath shot to fame last year with his unorthodox but highly effective ways of addressing the unruly traffic scene in the state, especially in Srinagar and Jammu cities. He has not given up his unorthodox ways yet.
The officer is a frequent visitor to Srinagar’s flea market every Sunday where he sets up his own stall and puts hundreds of books on display. Anyone can take one book without any question being asked.
The officer is keen on working out a mechanism through which the students do not have to reach out to him as it would entail travelling to Srinagar. He is looking for a reliable courier service that can deliver the books the same day.
“I need a Srinagar-based courier service that’ll do same day delivery in the valley. For bulk orders. Can anyone help?” he tweeted on Monday.
Rath has so far distributed several thousand books. Asked about who funds the initiative, the officer said he has to respect the privacy of those contributing to the cause.
