'Training standards at NDA high'

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">PUNE: The ''Vision Document 2012'' has revealed that the quality of cadets joining the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, in recent years has seen a downslide, falling drastically short of the standards set for them. <br /><br />It pointed out disturbing trends that reflect poorly on OLQ (officer like qualities) of cadets.However, Lieutenant-General Arun Kumar Chopra, who recently assumed command of the NDA, feels that the academy''s standards have not gone down. <br /><br />Chopra, an NDA alumnus, spoke to TNN about his plans as commandant. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">This is your third stint at the NDA. How does it feel to be back to your alma mater?</span><br /><br />It''s good to be back at the NDA. I definitely look forward to contributing towards the training and development of cadets. I have a vast experience of 37 years and I would like to use it here. It''s like a home to me.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Your predecessor at the NDA, Vice-Admiral S.C.S. Bangara, had requested for the review of the Academy, which has revealed disturbing results. What is your reaction?</span><br /><br />In the past 50 years, the country has seen a lot of socio-economic changes. The indulgence of the youth of today in sports and similar activities is not there. Cadets coming from the Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, and Sainik Schools are good at sports. <br /><br />But the background of cadets coming from civil schools has changed over the time.We need a little time to mould them. This is being achieved by the time they join their respective services. <br /><br />They are good officers, which has been proved by the number of awards won during Operation Vijay and Operation Rakshak.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">You have a Herculean task before you, going by the review and the suggestions made by the panel. How would you go about?</span><br /><br />The mission of the academy has always been, and will be, to produce officers of high calibre — physically and mentally fit. We imbibe in them very high moral values. My focus will be on physical standards. <br /><br />Cadets need good leadership qualities, as well as good communications skills. I have to also concentrate on the education of cadets.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Has the training at the NDA mellowed down?</span><br /><br />I don''t think there''s any lowering of standards in training. The only thing is that the cadets now require a little more time. We have to give them that. The standards, in fact, have improved. <br /><br />There has been no reduction in physical standards whatsoever. When we were here, we didn''t have arms training, which the cadets are now getting.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">The report has also called for improvements in the academic standards of the faculty. A lot of them are ad hoc staff.</span><br /><br />It is too early for me to comment on this. But I agree that we do have deficiency of 54 permanent officers (academic). Hence,we have made ad hoc appointments. I have been told by my colleagues that their performance is good. <br /><br />However, permanent recruitment is better and the UPSC has advertised in newspapers for 18 teachers. The document has also recommended that candidates who have cleared competitive and qualifying exams, such as IIT-JEE and TOEFL, could walk into a Services Selection Board interview without having to appear for defence exams.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Will opening of the gates of SSB to these students help?</span><br /><br />This proposal has gone to the service chiefs. Until it is accepted by them and tried out, it will be premature for me to comment. But if this sort of system is applied, it will definitely be beneficial for the defence, as we may get better candidates.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Are the youth of today moving toward more lucrative options?</span><br /><br />It''s all keeping in milieu with the current socio-economic trend. The youth today are moving toward softer options. However, I don''t think we have a problem. Boys are still wanting to join the forces. <br /><br />The quality of life and education standards have improved. The ethos and values are higher in defence services than anywhere else.</div> </div>