NEW DELHI : It's time to put your best foot forward. The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is looking for students to come on board as volunteers for the Commonwealth Games 2010. The good news is: you'll get paid to hobnob with the Games participants and other celebrities staying at ITDC properties in the city.

"We are looking to hire around 600 students from Delhi University as well as hospitality colleges across the country as executives for the Games. We will not only provide them training and an opportunity to be an integral part of history but also pay them a handsome salary,'' said the spokesperson, ITDC. He added the hunt for suitable "volunteers'' would start from January 2010, but refused to divulge how much the stipend would be. Though he said it would match with the best in the industry.

The catch, however, is that ITDC's not going for a campus recruitment like the organising committee or Delhi government. Sources in the organization said only the best would be taken on, with ITDC planning to visit a select few colleges like LSR, St Stephen's, Hindu and others for the recruitment. Added the source, "We will be training the selected candidates for two months, and thereafter, they will be posted in one of the ITDC properties for three months till the Games.'' The central government is reportedly in talks with the concerned hospitality colleges and DU to ensure the academic calendar doesn't clash with the five months that would be taken out by the volunteers.

According to the ITDC spokesperson, the 600 volunteers would be spread across the main venue, Ashok Hotel, and other properties like Samrat, Janpath and the DDA flats that are being managed by the ITDC for the Games. "Around 35 executives will be posted at the Ashok and will serve as the face of the hotel for the Games.

The DDA flats will also be manned by these trainees, as it will be an important tourist accommodation during the Games,'' added the spokesperson. The selection process will consist of interviews, group discussions and interactions with the ITDC selection committee. "We're looking at young people who want to be closely associated with the Games and have an interest in the industry as well,'' added the ITDC official.

Incidentally, the OC has already started volunteer recruitment while Delhi government will be starting off soon. However, neither plans to pay the volunteers, unlike the ITDC initiative. More than 30,000 volunteers will be part of the Games preparations, said OC officials.

source: TOI