Mangaluru: Expressing unhappiness that educated youths from coastal districts are failing to secure govt jobs, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said students must attempt every competitive exam.“Whenever the academic results are announced each year, students from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts secure the top ranks, and we are always first when it comes to securing top spots. However, we end up at the very bottom when it comes to securing govt jobs. The primary reason for this is our lack of participation in various competitive examinations,” the MLA said.Rai organised an interactive session with students of the Govt First Grade Women’s College, Puttur, at the Puttur APMC hall Saturday.He engaged in a dialogue and discussion with the students for nearly two hours on various topics. “In today’s era, where political forces exploit students for their own benefit, you must remain extremely vigilant. Students should remain students; do not become victims of politics during your student years. Your parents are educating you through hard struggles with specific hopes in mind; never let their expectations turn to dust,” the MLA advised the students.Speaking about his new initiative to spend a day interacting with college students in his constituency to listen to their demands and concerns, Rai said the dialogue would include students from all colleges.Students voice concernsStudents of the Govt First Grade Women’s College in Bolwar requested a canteen on the college premises, citing the large number of female students.They sought affordable breakfast and meals. Students commuting from various rural areas also highlighted the public transport issues they face and brought them to the MLA’s attention. Some students made several appeals, including demands for houses, roads, regularisation of sites and support to prepare for competitive exams. Rai promised to look into the demands and sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for road development.He also assured students that housing plots would be provided to those without shelter, along with Rs 2 lakh in assistance to build a house.
