logo
Telangana student writes to PM Modi, seeks SHRESHTA scheme expansion

Telangana student writes to PM Modi, seeks SHRESHTA scheme expansion

KARIMNAGAR: A ninth-standard student, Budida Durga Sri, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting an expansion of the SHRESHTA (Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas) programme in Telangana and assistance in securing admission to the International School of Hyderabad.
Durga Sri is currently studying at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Choppadandi mandal. She expressed concern that many talented students are unable to access reputed schools due to limited SHRESHTA coverage in states like Telangana.
'SHRESHTA aims to provide quality education to deserving students, and I appreciate the opportunities it offers. Commenced in 2022, it has created valuable opportunities for many SC students like me,' she stated.
Hailing from a modest background in Nagaram village, Manthani Mandal, Peddapalli District, Telangana, Durga Sri secured an All India Rank of 148 in the SHRESHTA entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the 2025–26 academic year.
However, she stated that only two CRPF schools in Telangana are currently covered under the SHRESHTA scheme. 'Though there are many reputed schools in the state, I am unable to study in them because they are not included in the list,' she said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘At IIT Bombay, curiosity turned into confidence and questions found direction'
‘At IIT Bombay, curiosity turned into confidence and questions found direction'

Indian Express

timea day ago

  • Indian Express

‘At IIT Bombay, curiosity turned into confidence and questions found direction'

I grew up in the calm and quiet town of Kishangarh, Rajasthan, a place where the sky feels wider, the roads are less noisy, and life moves at its own unhurried pace. That slow rhythm, the simplicity, and the genuine sense of space are things I still miss deeply. After completing my Class 10 there, I moved to Kota – like many others chasing the IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) dream – to prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). Since childhood, I have had this restless curiosity about science. I was the kid who constantly raised his hand in class, asking 'why' and 'how,' often to the frustration of my teachers. But I rarely found satisfying answers, and that sense of incompleteness became my biggest motivation. That's when I realised JEE preparation was not just a path to an institute – it was a path to deeper understanding. My time in Kota from 2022 to 2024, though intense, was transformative. I did my Class 11 and 12 while preparing for JEE, staying focused throughout. There were tough patches – like falling ill and going home for two weeks – and disruptions to my rhythm when schedules changed. I also struggled with revision; I always wanted to chase the next big concept instead of revisiting the old ones. But with time, I learned to adapt and found my pace again. I appeared for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced in 2024, during my Class 12. When results came out, I had an All India Rank of 7151 in JEE Main and 3909 in Advanced. I wasn't fixated on any particular branch – I trusted the advice of my mentors, who told me not to judge a branch too early. I was only getting core branches in older IITs and had to decide between Civil Engineering at IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi. I chose IIT Bombay because of its environment and reputation. Civil Engineering appealed to me because it is interdisciplinary and connects with many sectors. I also considered Chemical and Aerospace Engineering at IIT Roorkee and IIT Madras, but they were lower on my preference list. I took admission to IIT Bombay in the Department of Civil Engineering. I joined in the last week of July 2024. Having already spent two years in Kota, I was used to staying away from home, but IIT Bombay was a different world altogether. The first few days were surreal. Classes were to begin three days after arrival, so I spent time exploring the campus, getting lost in the maze of buildings, and bonding with my roommate and wing mates in Hostel 1 (H1). The mess food seemed okay at first, but like everyone else, I soon turned to canteens and nearby joints to break the monotony. I did not want to box myself into just one club or activity during the first year. I explored everything. I participated in Enbuzz, a startup pitching competition by E-Cell, the Consult Challenge by the Consulting Club, and even joined SilverScreen IITB to make a short film from scratch. That experience of storytelling, shooting, and editing was incredibly fulfilling. I was also part of the organising teams for Techfest and Mood Indigo, two of the biggest campus events. Academically, the first year was light and manageable. Professors were approachable and supportive, and while I did not dive into studies all year, I did put in the hours when exams approached. The Civil Engineering course included a fun bridge and water tank building competition where professors acted as mentors, not just judges. That hands-on, collaborative learning left a lasting impression. Campus life at IIT Bombay is vibrant in a way that's hard to describe unless you've lived it. There's a sense of freedom here – no strict entry or exit times, late-night canteens, a 24×7 shop, and people walking around at 2 am just talking or working on ideas. It's a world full of creative chaos. My daily routine is quite flexible. I usually start with breakfast, then attend labs and lectures until about 5 pm. Evenings are for gym sessions, chilling with friends, or sketching portraits using charcoal and graphite – something I've loved doing since school. Sometimes, I experiment with the piano, playing around with tunes I enjoy. I've been planning another short film too, though those plans are currently on pause. Hostel life brings a different kind of joy – sometimes, 10 of us squeeze into one room, laughing, playing games, or just talking for hours. Those late-night hangouts, spontaneous walks around campus, or trips to the Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) building rooftop, Amul store, or the Boat House – they've given me some of the best memories. I've made it a point to try different things. Whether it's cricket and badminton with hostel friends, organising events, or learning to communicate better — each experience has shaped me. I used to struggle with public speaking, but now, after organising events, coordinating with sponsors, and leading teams, I've become more confident. It's still a work in progress, but I've come a long way. Living in Mumbai has also changed me. From the calm of Marine Drive to the chaos of Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the city offers something for every mood. I have grown to love its relentless energy and diversity. As of now, I am still exploring various fields. I might take up a placement offer as a safety net, but my long-term dream is to build something of my own – likely in the tech or Information Technology space. The idea of creating something meaningful, something that solves real problems, really excites me. My journey from the peaceful streets of Kishangarh to the buzzing life of IIT Bombay has been full of learning, challenges, and self-discovery. It's not just about academics or placements – it's about becoming someone who questions more, learns better, and dares to build. Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More

Meet Ansar Shaikh: Son Of Auto Rickshaw Driver Who Cleared UPSC CSE At 21 In First Attempt With AIR...Got Married To....Who Looks Like An Actress
Meet Ansar Shaikh: Son Of Auto Rickshaw Driver Who Cleared UPSC CSE At 21 In First Attempt With AIR...Got Married To....Who Looks Like An Actress

India.com

time4 days ago

  • India.com

Meet Ansar Shaikh: Son Of Auto Rickshaw Driver Who Cleared UPSC CSE At 21 In First Attempt With AIR...Got Married To....Who Looks Like An Actress

photoDetails english 2932965 Updated:Jul 17, 2025, 11:00 AM IST Youngest IAS Officer 1 / 7 The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination annually to select candidates for prestigious roles such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and others. The exam takes place in three stages. Clearing it at a young age is a rare achievement, and one remarkable example of this is Ansar Shaikh. Ansar's struggles 2 / 7 Ansar Shaikh, the son of an auto-rickshaw driver, cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination at the young age of 21. Coming from a humble background, his father earned a living by driving an auto, while his mother worked as a farm labourer. In 2023, Ansar tied the knot with Waiza Ansar credits his success to the unwavering support of his family. Despite facing many challenges, he secured an impressive All India Rank of 361 in the 2016 IAS Examination at just 21 years old. Ansar's challenges 3 / 7 Ansar encountered numerous challenges during his early life. His brother had to drop out of school in Class 7 and work at a garage to support the family financially, while his sister was married off at the young age of 15. Despite these hardships, Ansar remained focused and dedicated to his studies, eventually clearing one of the world's toughest exams. Ansar's graduation 4 / 7 Ansar began his academic journey with remarkable achievement, scoring an impressive 91% in his Class 10 exams. He later pursued and completed his undergraduate studies at Pune set his sights on the UPSC exam, one of India's toughest competitive tests, and chose Political Science as his optional subject. He decided to take the Mains exam and the interview in Marathi. With a well-structured preparation strategy, he remained focused and disciplined, which played a crucial role in his success. Financially disadvantaged background 5 / 7 Ansar hails from a small village in Maharashtra's Marathwada region and comes from a financially disadvantaged background. His father was an auto-rickshaw driver, and his mother worked as a farm labourer. Despite the hardships, his family always placed his education first, which played a key role in helping him reach his goal. He is currently serving as the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. UPSC exam coaching 6 / 7 After completing his graduation, Ansar fully dedicated himself to preparing for the UPSC exam. With strong support from his friends and coaching institute, he managed to stay focused despite the challenges. His determination and hard work paid off when he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination on his first attempt in 2016, securing an All India Rank of 361. Ansar and Waiza love story 7 / 7 Ansar and Waiza tied the knot on December 24, 2023. On their nikah day, Waiza looked stunning in a blush pink sharara.

TN girl aces UPSC, set to join naval academy
TN girl aces UPSC, set to join naval academy

Time of India

time5 days ago

  • Time of India

TN girl aces UPSC, set to join naval academy

Chennai: Pointing to a fully knit, framed crochet of an old-fashioned ship cutting through the sea with the wind in its sails, Harini Raghavendran says, "I made this 4 years ago as a random pastime. Little did I know that four years later, I'd be sailing through similar-looking seas as a naval officer." The 18-year-old daughter of IT professionals is the first girl from Tamil Nadu to join the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, Kerala, after clearing the NDA/NA exam, which involves clearing the UPSC after Class XII, through the permanent commission entry. She will train at INA as a naval cadet for four years starting July 14, after which she will receive a BTech degree. Women were allowed as cadets in the defence services after Class XII only after a 2021 Supreme Court order. The first batch joined National Defence Academy in Pune in 2022, and 17 women graduated in May 2025, with most of them from Haryana and UP. There were only a few in the Navy, and none was from TN. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Reaching the final stage of recruitment for INA was physically and mentally demanding. After training at NDA Defence Coaching Institute in Chennai, Harini cleared the UPSC exam in Sept last year, securing an All India Rank of 279. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo She then passed five stages of evaluation held by Services Selection Board, which included psychological assessments, an interview, and a medical exam. Harini recalls the medical screening as the most nerve-wracking. "There's not a single part of your body that goes unscanned. I've heard of candidates discovering undiagnosed ailments during the process." Her love for the waters and physical activity, she says, began at a young age. "I took my first swimming lesson at five," she says. Over the next decade, she trained in athletics and basketball, and eventually led her school team to multiple victories. Her father Raghavendran Venkataramana has been a major influence on her. "I started accompanying him on adventure trips from the age of 15," says Harini. Her mother Ramya R, recalls relocating homes to be closer to Harini's basketball coaching centre and enrolling her in summer camps to help her become comfortable staying away from home. "Compared to states like Haryana and Rajasthan, awareness and exposure to careers in defence is quite low in TN," said Major Madhan Kumar, one of Harini's mentors. Recalling her recent experience as a guest speaker at Sainik School, Amaravathinagar, she says "It felt like a personal milestone, to inspire others through my journey."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store