Kolar: “We are all from agricultural families. But my uncle is in the CRPF. That is another option but my first choice is the Army,” so said Uday Kumar an army jawan aspirant, selection for which was held at the KGF complex of BEML on Wednesday.
He along with his four co aspirants, Chaitanya Kumar, 20, Satish PV, 21, Sunil Nayak, 20, and Yeshvanth Kumar, 19 travelled from a remote village in Kolar District, Byrakur, to BEML for three hours in a private bus that left their village at 3 am on Wednesday so as to reach well in time for the selection process which was scheduled to begin at 10 am that day. It was a bumpy ride and it was the first test of their endurance,and a precursor to the sterner tests ahead.
They landed at the destination two-and-a-half hours before reporting time. The rally saw the participation of at least 200 aspirants, many from a farming background. They have completed SSLC, while some have even passed PUC. The selection for Soldier (general duty) is scheduled on May 2nd.
“It is about 50km from our village. We decided not to wait for the government bus and take the private one at 3am. We reached KGF at 6am and reported at 8.30am sharp, as per instructions,” Satish told the TOI. His friend Sunil attempted to join the force but didn’t make it. “I attended the CRPF selections last year but my application was turned down as I didn’t have a domain certificate,” he said, keeping his fingers crossed.
Documents are critical for Army selections. Even if one of them, like income certificate, caste certificate, domain certificate or SSLC marksheet (all mandatorily in English) is not in the prescribed format or missing, the aspirants don’t stand a chance.
So what draws all these youngsters to the Army? Is it the Sixth Pay Commission, the canteen facility or the uniform? “We just want to be in the Army,” they said collectively, without having any idea about the pay, entitlements or different regiments.
“I’m willing to be posted at any regiment,” said an optimistic Chaitanya. “I have no fear of losing my life,” he added. It is this raw courage that the Army looks for in its jawans. The willingness to fight for the nation and the ability to follow orders is paramount in the regimental scheme of things. “You should see the crowd on the day when recruitements for general duty are made. Aspirants come in the thousands,” said a senior Army officer.
Some even make repeated efforts to get into the Army, said another officer. Gangadhara HS, 18, and Prem Kumar, 23, travelled all the way from Shantigrama in Hassan. It is almost clear that Gangadhara will not get through as he has failed the medical examination twice. But at 23, it was his last chance to apply, and he was there. “I hope it happens, sir. I’ve asked my parents to pray for me,” he said. “If I don’t make it here, I will go to Shivamogga on May 8,” said the boy who accompanied him.
Inputs – TOI
