In the spirit of affirmative action, Tata Steel has sponsored a six-month residential coaching program for youth from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. This marks yet another endeavour by Tata Steel to make the youth from SC/ST communities achieve their career goals by being successful in competitive examinations.

Tribal Cultural Society, Tata Steel, with Xavier Institute for Tribal Education, Gamharia, has launched the program. The coaching program for SC/ST youth is borne out of the need to empower them with adequate skill-sets to face the grind of competitive exams and come out with flying colours. Key subject areas that will be taught in the coaching include Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Communication Skills and General Awareness.

Tata Steel will be bearing the entire coaching expense, including tuition, teaching materials, and boarding, for a total of 37 selected candidates. The short-listed SC/ST youth, a mix of boys and girls from different streams, have been selected on the basis of written test and interview.

On the occasion of inauguration, Ms Urmila Ekka, Hon. Secretary, Tribal Cultural Society informed of various initiatives meant to educate the tribal children and youth as well as preserve and promote tribal culture. She also stressed that the students who are benefiting from the sponsorship, after achieving their aim, should help other youth from their communities and guide others to a brighter future.

Fr Michael Thanaraj SJ, Chairman, XITE, asked students to utilize their time during the coaching and hone their skills and knowledge level to succeed in prevailing cut-throat competition.