Living on Hope

MAHIPAL SINGH RATHORE, 20

Class XII pass, pursuing graduation From Jaitaran in Pali district

Mahipal has been preparing for recruitment to the armed forces for four years. With two sisters younger than him, this son of a small farmer is convinced that once he has enrolled in the Agniveer scheme, he will do well enough to be chosen among the 25 per cent for longer service. He is currently living in Jaipur, preparing for medical, physical and written tests, but does not have the resources yet to join coaching classes. “It is good that the government has given a two-year age relaxation for Agniveer, else I would have become overage,” he says. There is hope yet.