Ex-Armyman on mission to encourage youth for Armed forces

Vadodara: A retired colonel has embarked upon a mission to encourage youth to join defence forces.
Col (Retd) Vinod Falnikar (71) has been offering free coaching to young aspirants. Falnikar had failed thrice in the Service Selection Board (SSB) interviews before being selected for Indian Army. Falnikar, who retired in 1997, has so far trained about 171 students to serve in the Indian armed forces.
"After I was posted as the NCC group commander in Vadodara, I had about 11,000 cadets under me.I realized that there were very less number of youths in the armed forces from Gujarat. I began training students as a service to the nation," said Falnikar.
Out of 171 students, 60 are Gujaratis and from Vadodara. His students have secured various positions in air force, army, coast guard, navy, police and border safety force. His students include army Captain Ashwini Pawar and Captain Gopika Pawar, from the city, who were part of the first women's expedition to climb Mount Everest in 2005.
While Falnikar prepares the students for the exams, his wife Vaishali Falnikar (67) imparts soft skills and etiquette trainings to the candidates once they clear the exams.
"The less number of personnel from Gujarat in the armed forces is mainly due to lack of awareness. We begin with counselling of parents by giving them insight on the pros and cons of a career with the armed forces," added Vaishali.
"Although there is sacrifice and separation, service in armed forces offers social security and promises a life of constant adventure. There is a misconception that only engineers are eligible for the armed services. I am a commerce graduate and I have trained a chartered accountant who is now a flight lieutenant with the Indian air force," said Falnikar.
Falnikar's patrons also include captain Chintan Parmar who is currently posted in Siachen glacier, Sena medal (gallantry) awardee major Hitesh Hinduja and Shaurya Chakra awardee major Binu Chathoth.