Date:16/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/16/stories/2006031619120800.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Well-educated take up the truncheon

Special Correspondent

The new recruits

CHENNAI: At a time when there is a mad rush for securing admission to engineering colleges and postgraduate courses in computer sciences in the State, 50 computer specialists and three engineering graduates have joined the Railway Protection Force (RPF) as constables.

At a passing-out parade to be held in Tiruchi on March 17, there are 31 postgraduate degree holders, including MA, M.Sc and M.Com, 50 qualified postgraduate/graduate level computer specialists, and three engineering graduates.

There are as many as 200 graduates among the recruits, though minimum qualification for the post is a mere pass in the Plus-Two examination.

Of the 582 RPF constable recruits, 59 are women.

The recruits completed seven-and-a-half months of training, which included indoor and outdoor sessions. While the male recruits had their training in Tiruchi, women recruits were trained at a temporary training centre at Integral Coach Factory, Perambur. Director-General of RPF A.K. Suri is participating in the passing-out parade, according to RPF officials here.