In discussions at marriages or Kodava gatherings, one unanswerable question keeps coming up: “Why have there been no Generals or equivalent senior officers in the defence forces after the legendary Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya?”
One answer that is often given is that there have been 11 Lieutenant Generals and Four Air Marshals from Kodagu. However, this is not the right answer to the question.
If we look at the profiles of the Chiefs of the Army, Air Force and Navy, most of the Chiefs have come through the National Defence Academy (NDA). NDA entry is after Class XII, at around the age of 18–19. Candidates who enter through NDA receive their commission at a younger age compared to those who enter the defence forces through other routes. They consequently have longer careers, around 40 years and therefore have greater opportunities to rise through the ranks and eventually become Chiefs.
Hence, there are greater chances of students from Kodagu reaching the highest ranks of the defence forces if more of them join through the NDA.
There is no doubt that several boys and girls from Kodagu aspire to join the NDA. However, because the NDA entrance examination includes mathematics at the Class XII level, science students are generally better positioned to prepare for it. Many students also take coaching for the examination. At the same time, they have to prepare for their board examinations, CET, JEE, NEET and other competitive examinations. Most colleges and coaching institutions give priority to these examinations, and consequently, NDA preparation often takes a back seat.
The most challenging part of the NDA selection process, however, is not the written examination but the SSB interview.
During the SSB process, psychologists, Group Testing Officers and an Interviewing Officer independently assess candidates for 15 Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs). Candidates are expected to possess, or demonstrate the potential to develop, qualities such as stamina, courage, initiative, social adaptability, self-confidence and leadership.
These are not simply items of knowledge or skills that can be learnt in a short period. They are behavioural qualities that are reflected in a person’s personality and lifestyle. Developing these qualities and learning to demonstrate them at an observable level requires sustained practice, often over a minimum period of three to four years, particularly to the level of confidence expected by the assessors.
SAINIK SCHOOLS
This is one of the reasons why many successful NDA candidates come from institutions such as Sainik Schools, Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS) and Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), where Officer-Like Qualities are developed from an early age, often from Class 6 onwards.
If we want our children to succeed in the NDA and eventually rise to the highest levels of the defence forces, we need to consider preparing them from an early age. One option is to send children to Sainik Schools from Class 6 or 8. Alternatively, we need to develop structured NDA coaching along with OLQ-building programmes from Class 8 or 9 onwards.
I am planning to start a training batch for Class 8 and 9 students, focusing both on preparation for the NDA examination and on developing the Officer-Like Qualities required during the SSB selection process.
I am backed by several serving and retired Kodava officers who have agreed to support and guide me in this initiative.
If you would like your child to be a part of this programme, please get in touch with me. Students currently studying in Classes 8 and 9 are welcome.
Prathvi Uthaiah – 9845013053
Join our WhatsApp Group for News and Article Alerts
