A military trainer’s main function is to make a soldier out of you because you are being prepared for combat. In this is training, death only happens by accident while fear and pain, are dished out totally. Not only does the training break you mentally, but also makes you more strong.
Here are some insane army training regimen from around the world that is designed to break even the toughest of soldiers:
“Hell Week” – Indian Special Forces
As a part of their probation, the selected SF soldiers of India are made to go sleepless for an entire week and are allowed only limited rest each day. And along with this, they have to run, jog, crawl, prepare meals and do everything.
Indian PARA SF
Passing live grenade – China
The People’s Liberation Army of China passes a live grenade with the pin pulled out before the last person throws it in a hole for a contained explosion wherein they have to cover themselves to save from the debris. It does not only instill discipline but also makes the person more careful and attentive while dealing with live ammunition.
Chinese Soldiers Playing Hot Potato With Live Grenade
While most of the military training around the world only last for 1 year or 2, India’s National Defence Academy takes in young blood – straight out of teenage to train them for 3 whole years and prepare them for the pre-commission training academy where they train for another year. So, 4 whole years of their lives, they will be spend in military training.
NDA Passed Out Cadets
Taking a live bullet – Russia
The Russian specialized confidence training requires a soldier to take a bullet. While they do wear bulletproof vests, some of them get injured. This training teaches the soldier to quickly react with a counter fire despite of taking a hit.
RUSSIAN SPETSNAZ
64 km in 20 hours – United Kingdom
As a part of selection/probation for UKs Special Air Services, the recruits are sent to an unknown location and are told to cover in 64 km in 20 hours while carrying a 30 kg weight, with just a water bottle. On their way, the police and armed services attempt to capture and disqualify them.
UKs Special Air Services Required 64 km Run in 20 Hours
Shirtless snow fights – South Korea
Most soldiers run, play sports and do all sorts of activities to stay fit and acclimatize themselves to a new posting. But imagine going shirtless in a cold place like Leh and doing all these activities. Soldiers of South Korea and China are made to go shirtless in temperatures as low as -30 degrees wherein they play, fight and run.
South Korean Soldiers Playing Shirtless in Snow
So, what according to you was the most insane military training regimen? Do you know about something that is more grueling than this? Let us know in the comments below.
The following letter was sent to SSBCrack by the female defense aspirants who were recommended but got merit out several times.
On one hand, the entire nation is talking about women empowerment, upliftment of the societal plight of a woman, so that she sees herself at par with her male counterparts, but on a contrary, we would like to bring your kind notice, the almost negligible number of vacancies for women in the Indian Armed Force. We, a group of candidates are writing to you with the hope that you will help us in highlighting the discrimination. Every year 200 seats are declared for IMA and 175 seats for OTA for male candidates through Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS). Whereas we female candidates get only 11 seats to pave our ways. This is not even 10% of total seats. Through CDS 1/2017 only 124 seats are filled out of 150 of IMA, 26 seats are still vacant. Same is the case with OTA, only 181 seats are filled out of 225, 44 seats are still vacant. Whereas 51 girls got recommended to join by the Service Selection Boards (SSB) but only 11 were lucky enough to get through. We feel extremely dejected at the fate of the other 40, who clearly suffered at the hands of their gender.
There are many countries across the world that lay mandate on women serving in their respective Armed Forces, so there is an obvious denial to the so-called biological reasons that are forcefully slapped across our face, whenever we seek an explanation for this prejudice inflicted on us. The actual reasons are never thrown light upon. It is nothing but, the appalling reality, of lack of infrastructure, to train the women, that compels us to hang our heads in shame. The shocking data shared above pertains to only non-technical entries into the Indian Army. The biased nature of the system shows no mercy towards the female candidates in other entries like technical, NCC and JAG, either. Few facts and statistics will pinpoint the exact issue and will make things go smoothly for further consideration. We, hereby, present a few very recent of them with apt details.
Indian Army 2018 Courses Merit DetailsIndian Army 2017 Courses Merit DetailsIndian Army 2017 Courses Merit DetailsIndian Airforce Courses Merit Details
Similar is the scenario in the INDIAN NAVY. We girls toil hard day in and day out, leaving behind all the mental, physical, emotional restraints that any defence aspirant has to go through, only to find the wings to our aspirations left chopped after the announcement of any merit. In fact, to an utter dismay, not less than hundreds of seats alloted for the male candidates, go waste due to a very low recommendation rate of the male candidates. Our question to the concerned authorities is why these vacant seats of male candidates can’t be allotted to us? Why can’t we have a combined merit list? We wrote letters to the PM and the Defence Minister, but didn’t get any reply. Nevertheless, we would not stop trying to make ourselves heard. This letter is not like any other ordinary letter. It has been written with a blend of both facts and emotions after a thorough discussion and a detailed study. Before starting with what this letter contains, I would like to draw your attention to the following two facts. 1) The released manifesto of the current Government during 16th Lok Sabha elections, preached ‘SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas’ which is inclusive of the empowerment of women. 2) We get to hear that common people get to directly contact the Government to address their issues and the Government does respond to their grievances. On the lines of both these facts, we too want to express our concern directly to the highest authorities as I believe that the honorable Government of my nation listens to its each citizen. As we voice our concern on behalf of a section of society, a section so small that hardly anyone notices the injustice being done to it, but sir, the dream of this section stands par with the biggest dreams of any other section of society and that is joining the Indian Armed forces. The section we are talking about is that of the ‘FEMALE DEFENCE ASPIRANTS’. Defence Forces are one of the elite services of Government of India. Ever since the induction of women started into the forces, many girls have lived their dream of becoming an officer in the forces. But with the advancements and opportunities, there lies a lack of equality in terms of the number of vacancies. Every year a large number of girls apply for Defence Forces through the available entries but only a mere percentage gets merit in. All candidates, irrespective of the gender reach till the merit after clearing the written exam(some entries are direct also) then, a five day SSB procedure and subsequently the medicals, but for most woman candidates it is just to reach a fate where they are declared as merit out candidates. There are rare chances of boys getting merit out because of two reasons- 1) More number of entries 2) fairly large number of vacancies per entry. We take Combined Defence Services Exam after graduation as part of non tech entry and we cover the same syllabus (except mathematics, which is not required for OTA) and put same amount of effort and all we get is one choice that is Officer Training Academy. We would like to draw attention to the fact that every year, so many seats are left vacant which are declared for boys because of less no. of them getting recommended. These seats could be allotted to potential female candidates who miss to be a part of the merit because of very less vacancies. To make this more understandable, the number of vacancies declared for boys in the following three elite training institutes almost a total of 2850.
Just the data from only three academies and the number goes to nearly three thousand. Whereas, for women candidatesit is a small number of 50 only. Not even 2% of the male’s vacancies from three academies. But the more disheartening reality is that out of all the seats which are declared for boys per year, just 50-60% get fulfilled. The central issue of our concern is not that the seats for men are more but the fact that for women it is too less. When IBN Live released a news report on one of Rajya Sabha sessions where honorable Defence Minister quoted that, ‘ There is a shortage of officers in Defence Forces. There is a shortage of 9, 106 officers in Indian Army and Indian Navy faces a shortage of 1467 officers’. If there is a shortage of officers in Indian Army then why girls are facing a merit out after getting recommended and being declared physically and medically fit. The idea of an Officer is extremely gendered and it’s high time to break grounds and stereotypes.
In IMA there were 150 vacancies through 1/2017 CDS out of which only 124 were filled. It is evident that many seats go vacant as there is a shortage of potential male candidates. Now let’s consider the case of Merit Out girls candidates in 1/2017 CDS entry – 40, Technical entry – 16, NCC entry- 30, JAG Entry – 24. A total of 110 girls could not join academy and the reason is quoted above.
The SSB declared them recommended along with the medical board declaring them fit for forces. Then why merit out? It’s because of lack of infrastructure to train them which is surely not a step towards development and empowerment.
The shortage of officers in Indian Army is not due to lack of deserving candidates but because of lack of infrastructure in terms of academies to train the potential recommended candidates. We have a few possible suggestions coming out of our limited experience-
1) Increasing the number of entries and also vacancies per entry in the Armed Forces.
2) Release a combined merit list so that lady candidates can compete for all seats and not just for a small number like 35-40.
3) Transfer vacant seats of male candidates to potential female candidates to reduce merit out cases which is a very high number among girls. Or a similar privilege of being called from the other Force if merit out from one of the Forces.
4) Lady Cadets should be allowed to get trained in IMA Dehradun also. If OTA Gaya can be established in three months than IMA can also be equipped in one month with the facilities to train lady cadets.
Also, there is one argument which we listen very often, it is that lady cadets and officers need to be given special facilities like proper accommodation, toilets etc., but we are assuring you that we are here to become soldiers and not on some leisure trip where we want all the luxuries of life. On behalf of all the women aspirants we assure that we don’t want any special treatment or facilities. We are docile enough to be trained to be both mentally and physically to live in & with exactly the same environment and facilities as our male counterparts are.
Our only concern is to get inducted into the Forces on the basis of performance and combined merit. Getting merit out shatters the dreams of many of us, when we are equally competent to render our services to the nation. Many of us aspire to be like Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi, Capt Divya Ajith Kumar, Wing Cdr Pooja Thakur etc. Such aspirations can only get wings if the Government tends to increase the seats for women candidates in all the three services. We appreciate that the Government is working towards all round development but the disparity in defence forces is now a major concern. Many of us have been recommended 6 times and are nearing our last attempts to be a part of the Forces. Many dreams don’t get a chance to turn into reality because of this. Kindly let hardwork triumph over luck. Not alone Beti Bachao Beti Padhhao is the need of hour but actualy “Beti Bachao Beti Padhhao Beti ko Aage Badhhao” is what we girls need because simply reducing the female feticides and educating the girls won’t bring any good unless their future is secured from all kinds of disparity. What fears us is that the Governmental policies and the language of the politicians is phallogocentric and women being equally good while performing in the SSB’s, securing a better recommendation rate has served us, even now, no right of demanding more seats in the Forces. What pains us is the fact that the high recommendation rate viz. the potential of being an officer is approved by the highest authority, the SSB; we are sought to be labeled with a natural ability of putting across and thoughts, commands and ideas into action. I argue if the ability is so NATURAL, then why are we being stopped from being the Officers that we could become After acquainting you with all the possible known areas which require your immediate attention, it’s a kind request for some policy intervention and please kindly look into the matter and please offer all the female defence aspirants a hope of keeping their dream of becoming an officer in defence forces alive as one fine day it will be a reality.
Thank you
Jai Hind
Note: SSBCrack has not verified the data mentioned in this letter.
Recently, India witnessed the loss of one of the passionate pilots of the Indian Air Force, Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar, whose Mig-21 crashed near Kangra in HP.
This was the first and only military aircraft accident till date in India. However, from the recent past, the crash history does not look so good. Since financial year 2015-16, there has been 30 aircraft crash in the Indian military with 43 personnel dying as a result of this. It has also resulted in a loss of 29 aircrafts of the Indian military. Let us have a look at these numbers since FY 2015-16:
2015-16
During this year, 2 aircrafts of the Army Aviation Corps and 6 aircrafts of the Indian Air Force crashed in separate incidents. Luckily there was no loss of life. However, all the 8 aircrafts were lost in the crashes.
2016-17
In the financial year 2016-17, the Army Aviation Corps reported crash of 1 aircraft, resulting in the loss of 4 lives. The accident occurred when a Cheetah helicopter crashed at Sukna Base in West Bengal, killing 3 officers and 1 JCO.
Sukna Base
On the other hand, the Indian Air Force reported a crash of 10 aircrafts, the highest in the recent years. One of these incidents is the infamous disap
pearance of An-32. All the 29 personnel on-board were feared dead. However, in crashes of other 9 aircrafts during this year, all the crew was safe.
The cell of an air warrior was ringing after the crash, but the location was not ascertained.
2017-18
During FY 2017-18, the Indian Army’s Aviation Corps reported 2 aircraft crashes with loss of 1 aircraft and no loss of life.
However, the Indian Air Force reported a crash and loss of 6 aircrafts. This resulted in a loss of 9 lives of air warriors.
2018-19
This fiscal year, there was no crash reported by the Army Aviation Corps till date.
But in the Air Force, there were 3 crashes of the aircrafts which resulted in the loss of 2 lives this year and loss of all 3 aircrafts. These crashes include the loss of lives of Air Commodore Sanjai Chauhan and Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar.
Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar
No crashes in Navy
The Indian Navy was the safest force in terms of aircraft accidents. It did not report any aircraft crash incidents since 2015.
What is done after an aircraft accident?
Every aircraft accident is investigated by a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of accident and the recommendations of the completed Courts of Inquiry are implemented.
In this weekly digest, we cover all the hot topics that happened in the Indian defence from 15 – 21 July 2018.
Brahmos Test Fired Under Extreme Weather Condition
BrahMos was successfully test-fired as part of service life extension programme for Indian Army under extreme weather condition.
The precision strike missile followed the designated trajectory and the key components functioned perfectly. BrahMos has proved again all-weather capability flying in sea-state 7 with waves as high as 9 meters. DRDO’s range capability to operate in the most severe weather condition has also been validated at ITR Balasore.
Nigerian Naval Staff Visited India from 16 to 19 July 2018
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of the Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy is visited India from 16 to 19 July 2018 along with a 4 member Nigerian Navy delegation.
During his visit, the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy held bilateral discussions with Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and other senior officials of the Indian Navy. The Nigerian Navy Chief is also met with the Chief of the Air Staff and the Chief of the Army Staff.
After New Delhi, the Admiral proceeded to Mumbai, Kochi and Goa where he held discussions with the Commanders-in-Chief of Western and Southern Naval Commands and Flag Officer Goa Area respectively.
Republic of Singapore Naval Delegation Visits INS Teg at Djibouti
A delegation led by Rear Admiral Saw Shi Tat, Republic of Singapore Navy, visited INS Teg which is presently berthed at Djibouti harbour.
The Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr Anurag Srivastav, and Mr Nalin Kothari, Consulate General, Djibouti also visited the ship at Djibouti harbor. The Ambassador walked around the ship and was given a presentation on Indian Naval activities and operations in Gulf of Aden. Subsequently, the ship’s team had an interaction with the Ambassador on the growing strategic importance of Djibouti and the growing interest of other navies in the region.
IAF Warriors Summit Mt Kun
IAF Mountaineering Expedition to Mt Kun (7077 m) was flagged off on 27 Jun 2018 with 17 Air-Warriors in this expedition. They successfully reached the summit on 15 Jul 18. The team had 4 women Air-Warriors out 17 and was successfully led by Squadron Leader Lalita Mishra.
IAF Participates in “Pitch Black”
The Indian Air Force for the first time is participating with fighter aircraft in Exercise Pitch Black 2018 (PB-18), which is scheduled from 24 Jul 18 to 18 Aug 18 in Australia. Ex Pitch Black is a biennial multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The exercise will provide unique opportunity for exchange of knowledge and experience with these nations in a dynamic warfare environment.
Privatisation Promoted in Defence Production
The Government is promoting privatisation in Defence Production. Till June 2018, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) has issued 379 licenses to 230 Indian Companies for manufacture of various licensable defence items. Apart from this, one manufacturing license has also been issued by Ministry of Home Affairs for Small Arms and ammunitions. Till June 2018, 70 license companies covering 114 licenses have reported commencement of production.
Army to resume trails of M777 howitzer
Indian Army is going to resume trials of US-made M777 ultralight howitzer in the Pokhran firing range, Rajasthan. During the trails local ammunition will be used and tentatively 100 to 150 rounds will be fired. The trials will begin after they were suspended in September 2017 following a barrel burst caused by faulty ammunition during firing.
India-US Held Bilateral Defence Meet
As part of Indo-US Bilateral Defence Cooperation, the 7th Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting was held between India and the US delegation on 18 July. The meetings are held twice a year, alternately in India and the USA with the aim to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment.
A number of Joint Working Groups have been established under DTTI to progress mutually agreed projects for the benefit of the Armed Forces. Discussions on the formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure and the Industrial Security Annex to take forward projects under DTTI are proceeding as planned.
Bharat Electronics Ltd inks deal with Swedish Saab Group
Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saab for jointly marketing L-B and 3D air surveillance radar (RAWL-03) which is co-developed by the companies. Saab is Swedish aerospace and defence firm that serves global market with world-leading products, services and solutions in military defence and civil security.
Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Project Reviewed by Defence Secretary
The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Project was reviewed by Shri Sanjay Mitra, IAS, the Defence Secretary at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on 19 Jul 18. He was accompanied by Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar.
During the onboard visit, the Defence Secretary was given a first-hand briefing on the progress of IAC construction. highlighted the shipyard’s focus on outfitting and trial activities as the project enters its final phase, and re-iterated the CSL’s commitment to meet the timelines for delivery of the ship. The sea trials of the ship are expected to commence by early 2020.
IAF’s maintenance command organized Annual Aerospace Safety Council Meeting
Maintenance Command of the IAF organized its Annual Aerospace Safety Council Meeting on 19 Jul 18 at 7 Base Repair Depot, Air Force Station Tughlakabad. The meeting was attended by 100 Officers and 50 Airmen.
Attendees of the meeting
The meeting focused on issues related to IAF Aerospace Safety during Maintenance and Operations undertaken at units under Maintenance Command in the year gone by and discussed new challenges, current trends and developments in the field of aerospace safety.
The occasion was also utilized to audit what had been achieved and the task that lay ahead in ensuring safe flying environment while achieving 100% mission success. The meeting holds significance as Maintenance Command provides support to platforms and systems across entire Indian Air Force, thereby making a noteworthy contribution to its operational potential and aerospace safety.
Junior Officers Leadership Seminar held at Visakhapatnam
With an endeavor to provide a forum to the junior officers to put forth their views on aspects ranging across professional, technical, training and personnel issues, a Junior Officers Leadership Seminar was conducted by Eastern Fleet at Samudrika Auditorium on 18 Jul and 19 Jul 18. Junior officers upto the rank of Lieutenant Commanders, Master Chief Petty Officers, Chief Petty Officers representing all important branches of the Navy and important senior officers attended the meet.
The martyred IAF pilot who was killed in a Mig-21 crash yesterday was identified as Squadron Leader Meet Kumar. He was a resident of Delhi. His Mig 21 was reduced to debris after the crash and it immediately caught fire.
The Incident
Sqn Ldr Meet got airborne from Pathankot air base on 18 July on a routine sortie, and an hour after the take-off, his aircraft crashed near Jwali, Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, killing the officer.
Eyewitnesses reported that it seemed like the pilot is steering away the aircraft from the civilian area to an open field ensuring that no harm was caused to the civilian population.
He has also featured in a video shot by the IAF – A Date With An Air Warrior.
A Passionate Pilot
Squadron Leader Meet Kumar
Sqn Ldr Meet thought of his Mig-21 as a close partner. He had also mentioned that he spent more time with “this beautiful machine” than his wife and that the special bond that he shared with this machine was much more than his love for his wife.
Here is a transcript of the video featuring him –
“My name is Squadron Leader Meet Kumar. I am posted to 18 Wing, right now I’m a 26 Sqn warrior. I have been flying this beautiful machine called MiG-21.
This machine is a multi-role aircraft wherein it can undertake any sort of missions. This aircraft is, particular for a high landing speed. So, every landing is different. On this aircraft, we have a 57 mm rocket. We can carry high-calibre and low calibre bombs. The aircraft is capable of carrying 8 bombs at a time.
When you are flying this aircraft, you feel none other than God. …fighter pilot is god on this earth. Only fear is there is no fear of evil to them…
…fighter pilot is different wrt other people in terms of attitude, in term of their high dedication, in terms of their motivation factor, in terms of their preparedness and foremost thing is – they get to fly this fighter machine…
…it is very satisfying job. I mean, I would say that flying this machine after getting airborne with only few people at that particular time is in the air. So very rare people will be in the air at that time. So, I am one of those…
The bond which we share, I mean, me, with this machine is very rare. It is more than my wife. We know each other very well. I mean, I have spent more time with this machine than my wife.”
Reactions
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed “deep grief” over his death. “Our heartfelt condolences to the family of brave pilot Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar, who we lost in the fateful crash,” she said. A Court of Inquiry (COI) has been ordered into the accident.
Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre had on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that a total of 25 accidents involving IAF aircraft have been reported since 2015-16. He said that a total of 39 people died in the accidents and that IAF lost all the aircraft involved in the crashes. He said there were five accidents involving aircraft of the Army during the period in which four people were killed.
Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur has also expressed grief over his death.
Family
Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar was survived by a daughter, his wife and parents. Meet is the eldest son of Mr. Pravin Kumar. No further information about his family has been out yet.
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An Indian Air Force’s MiG 21 fighter jet on Wednesday crashed in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh leaving the pilot of the aircraft dead. According to initial reports, the MiG-21 aircraft took off from Pathankot air base in Punjab and crashed at Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district.
The pilot is known to be Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar who was flying this MiG 21 and lost his life in the crash.
The fighter jet crashed in Mehra Palli village under the Jawali police station, Kangra Superintendent of Police (SP) Santosh Patial said. A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Superintendent of Police (Kangra) said the MiG-21 jet was being flown by a pilot. A search operation was launched after the pilot was untraceable initially.
Photos from the crash site suggested that the aircraft was heavily damaged.
Police and rescue teams have reached the site in Kangra’s where the fighter jet crashed. The police confirmed that there was no loss of private life and property in the crash.
A video in this incident surfaced online that shows the wreckage and remains of the crashed aircraft in flames. The accident site looked like an open field from the video.
The jet was airborne from Pathankot on a routine sortie and crashed around 1:30pm in Patta Jatian village near Kangra. It lost contact with the airbase at 12:10 pm.
Notedly, Mig-21 is one of the oldest fighters in the IAF fleet. In 2012, the then Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said that the aircraft will be phased out by 2014 and the squadrons will be replaced by the latest version of Su-30. The Mig-21 is also reportedly nicknamed as the “flying coffin” and “widowmaker” due to its poor safety record. However, IAF continued to use the Mig-21 aircraft and phasing it out still seems to be far from reality especially when the IAF lacks fighter strength.
Earlier this year, an Air Commodore was martyred in a Jaguar crash in Kucth’s Mundra region.
In April, an unmanned Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) of the Indian Navy crashed in Gujarat. In the same month, four people suffered minor injuries after an Indian Air Force’s MI-17 helicopter caught fire following a collision with an iron girder while landing at the helipad near Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand.
SSB testing process is the test of your personality. Through this, the armed forces looking for candidates whose personality suits the personality required for military leadership. It is in no way reflection of your capabilities.
There are many candidates who could not make it to the armed forces, but made it big elsewhere. They prove that the capabilities in a person is defined by the limitations of his own self-belief. If you are determined enough, then nothing could stop you from succeeding in life.
In this post, we present to you the people who could not make it to the armed forces, but made it big elsewhere:
Amitabh Bachchan:
This is the next favorite of the GTOs who take this name at least once on the final day of GTO after the FPGT. Amitabh Bachchan recalls that he was a defence aspirant who have appeared various times for the SSB. He tried couple of times but could not make it. “Of course there are emotions, dissatisfaction and disappointments but you have to move ahead with life. Fortunately, I was destined for something else” – such was the attitude of the Shehanshah that made him the biggest Bollywood star of the generation.
Amitabh Bachchan
Read his full speech that he delivered at the National Defence Academy here.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
This is the most favorite example all across the SSBs. Not because he made it big elsewhere, but because he rose to be the commander of something which he wanted to be a part of. Without Dr. Kalam, the capabilities of India’s military firepower would have been crippled.
Dr Kalam
Dr. Kalam describes the experience in ‘Wings of Fire’ as –
“I halted for a week in Delhi, the city of the great Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin, and appeared for the interview at DTD&P(Air). I did well at the interview. The questions were of a routine nature, and did not challenge my knowledge of the subject. Then I proceeded to Dehra Dun for my interview at the Air Force Selection Board. At the Selection Board, the emphasis was more on “personality” than on intelligence. Perhaps they were looking for physical fitness and an articulate manner. I was excited but nervous, determined but anxious, confident but tense. I could only finish ninth in the batch of 25 examined to select eight officers for commissioning in the Air Force. I was deeply disappointed. It took me some time to comprehend that the opportunity to join the Air Force had just slipped through my fingers. I dragged myself out of the Selection Board and stood at the edge of a cliff. There was a lake far below. I knew that the days ahead would be difficult. There were questions to be answered and a plan of action to be prepared. I trekked down to Rishikesh.”
Shahrukh Khan:
It is said that joining the army was a dream of King Khan. Though he was a defence aspirant, there was reluctance from his parents and they didn’t wanted him to pursue a career in the army. He even appeared for the SSB but was not recommended.
Shahrukh Khan
King Khan’s untold love for defence can still be seen in his performances in TV serial called “Fauji” and movies like “Army”, “Veer Zaara”, “Jab tak hai jaan”, etc., nailing the roles.
Rahul Dravid:
Rahul Dravid was one of the finest and classiest players of the Indian team. Rahul Dravid was also a defence aspirant and appeared in the SSB for various attempts. Despite that he could not make through the SSB interview.
Rahul Dravid
But, Dravid’s consistent hardwork – paired with his flawless professional and personal conduct – ultimately offered great lessons for candidates today.
Conclusion
The point of this post is to convey the message that, if you cannot get selected in what you are really passionate about, either you are doing something wrong or are not made for it. You will need to accept this fact and do something with your life. If a person decides to commit suicide just because he was not selected in the army, then the assessors were right by not selecting him in the first place.
Applications are invited from Indian male candidates possessing educational qualification and age, as prescribed below, for recruitment to the post of Yantrik in the Indian Coast Guard, an Armed Force of the Union. Indian Coast Guard offers opportunity for Indian male candidates having Diploma in Electrical/Mechanical/Electronics and Telecommunication for recruitment to the post of Yantrik for 02/2019 batch. Selection procedure through written and physical efficiency tests, followed by medical examination. The recruitment Centres are at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Noida.
Educational Qualifications: Matriculation or equivalent, and Diploma in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics and Telecommunication (Radio/Power) Engineering Approved by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) with 60% in aggregate. (5% relaxation in above minimum cut off will be given for SC/ST candidates and outstanding sports person of National level who have obtained 1st, 2nd or 3rd position in any field sports events at the Open National Championship/ Interstate National Championship. This relaxation will also be applicable to the wards of Coast Guard uniform personnel deceased while in service).
The qualifying percentage may be increased if more number of applications are received. Candidates from “Open Schools/Institutes” not recognized by the Govt. are not eligible.
Age: Minimum 18 years and maximum 22 years i.e. between 01 Aug 1997 to 31 Jul 2001. Upper age relaxation of 5 years for SC /ST and 3 years for OBC category candidates.
Applications will be accepted ‘Online only’ from 11 to 21 Feb 19 till 1700 Hrs. Candidates are to log on www.joinindiancoastguard.gov.in
Yantrik Pay and Allowances: On joining Indian Coast Guard, you will be placed in Basic pay Rs. 29200/- (Pay Level-5). In addition, you will be paid Yantrik pay @ Rs. 6200/- plus Dearness Allowance and other allowances based on nature of duty/ place of posting as per the regulation enforced time to time.
Yantrik Selection Procedure: (a) Call up letters cum e-admit card for eligible short listed candidates indicating date, time and place for the recruitment tests, which are scheduled during the month of March 2019 would be required to be downloaded from internet site www.joinindiancoastguard.gov.in. The call up letters cum e-admit card will be tentatively uploaded on website by First week of March 2019. No separate call up letters cum e-admit card will be issued. Candidates can be allotted any centre view administrative reasons. (b) Short-listing criteria for applications will be based on higher percentage of marks in the diploma. SC and ST candidates will be given due weightage while short listing. (c) The qualifying cut off percentage can be increased if more number of applications are received. (d) The written tests will be objective type. The questions paper will contain questions from their respective branch (Mechanical /Electrical/Electronics & Telecommunication) and will also include some questions of general knowledge, reasoning aptitude & English. (e) Those who qualify written tests will undergo Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and initial Medical Examination. The testing procedure will take 2-3 days. (f) Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will be conducted for all those who qualify the written tests. All candidates are advised to be in possession of sport rig i.e Sport Shoe, T shirt, Trouser etc. Qualifying PFT as per the standards given below is compulsory. The PFT will consist as under:- (i) 1.6 Km run to be completed in 7 minutes. (ii) 20 squat ups (Uthak Baithak). (iii) 10 Push ups. Candidates undergoing PFT will do so at their own risk.
Yantrik How to Apply: Applications will be accepted ‘Online only’ from 11 to 21 Feb 19 till 1700 Hrs. Candidates to logon to www.joinindiancoastguard.gov.in and click on opportunities button. The important instructions for filling of online application are:- (i) The name of the candidate, father/mother’s name and date of birth should be mentioned as per the 10th class certificate. (ii) Indicate exact percentage of marks in diploma up to two decimals and this is not to be rounded off. (iii) Filling up of information like personal e-mail ID and Mobile number of the candidate are compulsory. (iv) Candidates to choose any one Centre out of the options displayed.
In this weekly digest, we cover all the hot topics that happened in the Indian defence from 8 – 14 July 2018.
6 Bidders Come Forward To Sell Fighters For The IAF:
6 combat aircraft manufacturers have responded to the MoD’sl request for information (RFI) for acquisition of 110 multirole fighter aircraft for the IAF.
These are the premier vendors from all over the world – Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Russian Aircraft Corporation, Dassault, Saab and Eurofighter GmbH.
All 6 aircraft from these manufacturers had participated in the IAF’s 2007 tender for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), which was scrapped in April 2015 in favour of the IAF directly importing 36 Dassault Rafale fighters.
The defence ministry will now process the acquisition under the provisions of the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2016 (DPP-2016). The RFI leaves the door open for an Indian private sector firm to co-manufacture the selected fighter in India.
Indian Army and State Bank of India Signs MoU on Defence Salary Package:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Army and SBI on the Defence Salary Package on 12 July 2018. The signing-in ceremony was chaired by the Director General (MP&PS), Lt Gen SK Saini and was attended by top officials of SBI headed by Shri Ranjan Kumar Mishra, CGM (PB), Corporate Centre, State Bank Bhawan, Mumbai.
SBI Inks Deal With Indian Army
The first MoU between SBI and the Indian Army was signed in 2011 and was renewed on 23 Feb 2015. The revised MoU is tailor made to suit the requirements of serving soldiers, pensioners and families. A number of additional facilities have been incorporated in the revised MoU which include free personal accident death cover, free permanent total disablement cover and other accidental benefits to the deceased soldier and family. This MoU will benefit a large number of serving and retired Army personnel who are having their accounts with SBI. The MoU will be valid till 03 Jan 2019 and continuation thereafter will be subject to review/renewal.
Shwet Ashwa, the elite motorcycle display team of the Corps of Military Police, commenced a motor cycle expedition from Bengaluru to Drass on 2nd July 2018 as a tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil war. After a gruelling ride through the Western Ghats and encountering heavy rains at Mumbai and Jaipur, the expedition reached New Delhi on 13th Jul 2018 from where it will be flagged off for Drass on 16th July 2018 by the Adjutant General Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar, AVSM, VSM.
The expedition is being undertaken by five highly experienced riders of the Army’s Shwet Ashwa Motor Cycle Display team and will travel a distance of more than 3250 km across eight states before they reach Drass on 24th July 2018. At Drass, they will participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations to commemorate India’s Victory in the Kargil war and pay homage to the 527 brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during this operation. The riders on their 200cc TVS Apache RTR bikes have already covered approximately 2500 km and will now commence the most treacherous phase of their ride while they pass through Manali, Sarchu, Leh and Drass. They will face the most challenging terrain and weather and both man and machine will be put to the ultimate test of endurance during this phase.
NCC Boys Expedition team to Mt Saifee Flagged-In By DGNCC
DG NCC Lt Gen PP Malhotra flagged-in the NCC Boys Expedition to Mt Saifee on 11 July 2018. He congratulated the boy cadets and the support staff for their splendid effort and demonstration of grit and courage to overcome the challenges of rugged terrain and hostile weather conditions in their bid to summit the peak. The expedition was launched on 01 June 2018.
NCC Boys Expn to Mt Saifee
The expedition team left for Mt Saifee Peak on 04 June 2018 from Delhi lead by Expedition Leader Col Dhirendra Singh, Dy Leader Major Neeraj Singh Mann along with 15 PI Staff and 20 boy cadets. All the cadets were given mountaineering training in NIM, Uttarkashi for 10 days.
The Expedition Leader Col Dhirendra Singh shared his experience and the challenges faced by the expedition team during their difficult attempt.
Mt Saifee is situated in the beautiful Gangotri National Park and the Garhwal Himalayas. The peak is knows as Mountaineers Paradise. The successful summit of the peak by 18 NCC Cadets on 30 Jun 2018 gave them an exposure to the mountainous conditions and hones their spirit of adventure.
INS Tarangini Visits Sunderland to Participate in Tall Ship Races – 2018
INS Tarangini arrived at her 7th port, Sunderland in the UK, during her Lokayan-18 voyage and also to participate in the prestigious ‘tall ship races – 2018’. The ship is part of the first Training Squadron based at Kochi, under the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. The name ‘Tarangini’ is derived from the Hindi word ‘Tarang’ meaning waves; thus, Tarangini means ‘the one that rides the waves’.
INS Tarangini
INS Tarangini is the first ship of the Indian Navy to have circumnavigated the globe in the year 2003-04 and has participated in tall ship races conducted around the world in 2007, 2011 and 2015. This beautiful ship, in her 21st year of service, is once again ready to create history with Lokayan-18. Lokayan is a combination of two Sanskrit words: ‘Lokya’ meaning worldwide and ‘Yana’ meaning travel, thus literally meaning, ‘travel around the world’.
Nigerian Navy Chief Visiting India From 16 to 19 July 2018
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of the Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy is visiting India from 16 to 19 July 2018 along with a four member Nigerian Navy delegation. The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations between India and Nigeria, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.
Nigerian Navy Chief With Adm Sunil Lanba
During his visit, the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy will hold bilateral discussions with Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and other senior officials of the Indian Navy. The Nigerian Navy Chief is also scheduled to meet with the Chief of the Air Staff and the Chief of the Army Staff.
After New Delhi, the Admiral is scheduled to proceed to Mumbai, Kochi and Goa where he will hold discussions with the Commanders-in-Chief of Western and Southern Naval Commands and Flag Officer Goa Area respectively. The Admiral is also scheduled to visit various naval units, including Indian Naval training schools during his visit to Mumbai, Kochi and Goa. Shipbuilding issues would be pursued during the Nigerian Admiral’s visit to M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and M/s Goa Shipyard Limited at Mumbai and Goa respectively.
