A different line: After SIR trauma, eager faces dot Yuva Sathi queues

Kolkata: From engineering students to gig workers and job seekers and from poor to well-to-do households, youths from sharply different economic backgrounds stood shoulder to shoulder to claim the promised Rs 1,500 monthly unemployment allowance, registrations for which opened on Sunday. Standing with umbrellas raised against the glare, long queues of young men and women were seen outside community halls and para grounds across the city on Sunday.At Abahan community hall in Behala West, the queue moved slowly but steadily. Among the waiting applicants was Deep Chakraborty, a final-year BTech student from a private engineering college. His father is an engineer and the family is not financially distressed, he admitted candidly. "I may not come from a needy family, but I can use the allowance as pocket money. When the state is giving it, why not take it?" he said.
A few places behind him stood 30-year-old Ritam Kar, who paused his app-based bike rides for the morning to complete the formalities. For Kar, the allowance is less about immediate consumption and more about a rare chance to save. "Whatever I earn from bike rides goes into household expenses. This extra money will help me maintain some savings," he said.The mix of applicants reflected the wide net cast by the scheme. While Yuva Sathi is meant for unemployed youth in 2026, officials clarified that those pursuing distance education or preparing for competitive examinations at home would also be treated as unemployed.Sayani Sarkar, 24, who is undergoing teacher training and hopes to secure a school job, said she never applied for a govt welfare programme before. "Until I get a stable job, this money will be helpful. This is the first time I am applying for any govt scheme," she said, clutching a folder of documents.In north Kolkata, similar scenes were found at Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja ground, where residents of Shyampukur Assembly constituency began gathering well before the gates opened at 11 am. MLA Sashi Panja remained present at the camp, repeatedly announcing over a microphone the list of required documents to streamline the registration process.Students formed a sizeable chunk of applicants. Debanjan Sen, a final-year BBA student from Hatibagan, said he tracked updates online before attending the camp. "My father informed me about this registration. I think it will serve as pocket money. Overall, it's a very good move," he said.For others, the allowance signified a small but meaningful financial cushion. Antara Chanda, who recently began working as an intern, saw the scheme as a form of social security. "If the govt is offering financial assistance to youths, why shouldn't we avail it?" she asked.Muskan Das, who completed her class XII in Kolkata and is now enrolled in a college at Begusarai, stood beside her father. With most of her classes conducted online, she said the money would take care of routine expenses. Khushi Sharma, who recently completed her postgraduate degree, said the allowance could help cover expenses related to job applications and competitive examinations — from form fees to travel costs. "For many of us, even filling out multiple forms is expensive," she said.Yet the line also included those for whom Rs 1,500 could bridge a more urgent gap. Deben Das, whose father runs a tea stall, discontinued his studies due and is currently looking for work. "I need a job immediately but haven't found one yet. Given my family's condition, I can't regularly ask my parents for money. This will help with conveyance and basic expenses," he said.