Youth from south India prefer armed forces than a corporate job

Chennai:

Youth from South India prefer a job in the armed forces rather than a corporate career, according to Lt Gen S S Jog, commandant of Officer Training Academy.

Speaking after a glittering passing out parade here on Saturday, Lt Gen Jog said the growing popularity of armed forces among the youth in south was confirmed by the sizable strength of corporate professionals who changed their tracks to be part of the Indian Army.

Interestingly, this could be summed up by the fact that this year 379 cadets, the largest in the history of Officers Training Academy, earned their stripes on Saturday. And among these a total of 40 cadets from the Southern India constitute the present batch of which 10 are from Tamil Nadu. Four of them belong to Chennai.

“There is a long and grueling training which precedes this festivity, encompassing physical training, educational competencies, weapon training, drill and social etiquette in addition to experiential conditioning in the skills and the attitudes needed for military success - in a short span of 49 weeks” said Lt Gen Jog.

Lt Gen Jog said the military academies instill confidence, character and competence needed to transcend the fear of life through a dynamic process. The OTA Chennai is universally revered as a military institution which infuses key leadership elements in young men and women in the age range of 21 to 26 coming from diverse regional and academic backgrounds.

The parade was reviewed by Lt Gen AK Singh, general-officer-commanding- in-chief of army’s Southern Command.

Speaking on the occasion, the general complimented the young officers for adopting a military career. An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Lt Gen Singh exhorted the young officers to live up to the words of Lord Philip Chetwode, which says, “The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”