What it is?
‘Sinchon’ is a Bengali word that basically means, “nourishing a sapling”
‘Sinchon’ is a unique initiative of “Durgapur Adda Young Association” that aims to nourish the meritorious students (boys only) from Class V to Class XII who hails from underprivileged families. Under this initiative, D.A.Y.A takes full responsibilities of five (05) Class V students every year till they pass out Class XII, including their accommodation, food, schooling, playing, dress, medical expenses and all that is needed for a decent growing up; and all free of cost, nothing is charged from the families of these students.
How it all Began?
The idea of ‘Sinchon’ was proposed during a General Body meeting of the organisation in September 2017. After much deliberation and discussion, the project was conceived.
The process kick started in October 2017 with visit to Free Primary Schools of Durgapur. And 5 students were selected through an indigenously planned rigorous selection procedure.
Inauguration
A small function was held to mark the beginning of the project ‘Sinchon’ on 23rd December 2017. Former Vice Chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University, Dr. Pabitra Sarkar cut the ribbon and opened the gate of the students’ boarding, at 12/13 Saptarshi Park, Bidhannagar. The students’ boarding been named ‘Setu’. Durgapur SDM, Mr. Sankha Santra was also present at the inauguration ceremony.
The five selected students were welcomed by handing over full sleeves sweaters to all of them. The five selected students for 2018 academic year were admitted in Class V at the Bidhannagar Government Sponsored Boys’ Hgh School. They started to stay at ‘Setu’ from 2nd January 2018.
Selection Process
As our aim is to select meritorious students from socioeconomically weaker families, we paid 30 percent weightage on merit and 70 percent weightage on the socioeconomic condition of the family from which the student belongs.
The first step for selection is solely based on the marks scored in the written exam.
After selecting 25 candidates based on their marks in written exam, the next step is to judge the socioeconomic condition of the selected candidates.
The socioeconomic condition is judged on 35 pre-selected parameters. Each of the parameters has been assigned fixed score depending upon the findings. Let’s give an example to make things clear; suppose after going to a particular student’s house, if the survey teamfinds the roof is ‘pucca’ he will get 01 point, if the roof is of ‘asbestos’ he will get 2 points, if the roof is of ‘tin’ he will be given 3 points, if the roof is of ‘taali’ he will get 4 marks and if the roof is of ‘hay’ he will be given 5 marks.
Thus, the one who hails from most weak socioeconomic background will get the maximum score.
After the survey of the 25 students selected in the first step gets over, a new list is being prepared by taking 30% of what a particular student scored in written exam and 70% of what that student scored from survey.
The top 12 from the list is then called for medical checkups followed by psychological test. The parents are also interrogated to judge their willingness and eagerness to see their son getting a chance.
The findings for each of these 12 students are noted down. Immediately after that these findings are placed before the D.A.Y.A members in a ‘General Body’ meeting. The members then select the first FIVE and their parents are immediately informed.
A legal agreement is signed between the parent of each of the students and D.A.Y.A.
Current Status of ‘SINCHON’ Project
As on June 2022, there are 22 students under this project.
There are 5 students in Class V, 4 students in Class VI, 5 students in Class VII, 5 students in Class VIII and 3 students in Class IX.
They stays in our Students’ Boarding named, ‘Setu’; which is a rented apartment in 33, Rabindra Nagar, Bidhannagar, Durgapur – 12.
They study in Bidhannagar Government Sponsored Boys High School, which is 1 Km from Setu.