When IPS officer turns teacher

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 17

Sandeep Chaudhary, a 2012-batch IPS officer, posted as the Senior Superintendent of Police in the militant hotbed of Shopian, is taking some time off his busy schedule of fighting militants to prepare young students for competitive exams.

“Operation Dreams” was set by 33-year-old Chaudhary on an experimental basis to coach the aspirants for the Sub-Inspector posts in Jammu last year. Of the 200 youth coached, 39 were able to crack the exam and advance to the second level of the test in Jammu.

Since he was transferred to Shopian, the militancy-hit district of Jammu and Kashmir, Chaudhary decided to replicate the experiment in the Valley to help the educated youth to live their dreams.

“This morning (held) the first class of Operation Dreams in Kashmir. Last year, we started with 10 students in Jammu. This year with six in Shopian. The environment cannot be an excuse,” tweeted Chaudhary.

A journalism dropout from Panjab University, Chaudhary completed his MA through correspondence and later worked in NABARD, State Bank and post office department. Chaudhary cracked the UPSC exam in first attempt without coaching.

“It is a cycle. Either we push them or we will pull them towards good things. We have made the beginning. We are not asking for any identity card or any formality. Anyone can come and join us. We have started with six and the number has reached 10,” Chaudhary said, on preparing students for competitive exams. Each day coaches the aspirants for one hour.

Chaudhary is using unconventional methods to reach out to the students in this south Kashmir district. From social media to WhatsApp, he has used all means available to help the youth to pursue their dreams.

“We approached them through social media and WhatsApp. We expect to take the number to 35 to 40 in coming days,” he said.

Shopian district is the epicentre of militancy and this year over 30 militants — the highest in any district — have been killed in various gunfights.