Today watching my name appearing in the
merit list of the batch for IMA 137 course, memories start to whirl around my
mind. A month ago wearing a chest number with a prestigious ‘+’ sign, I
wondered is it real or just a wonderful dream. I knew it would take time to
sink in, because it wasn’t just a fulfillment of a single person’s aspiration,
it was a success for the whole family and friends. It’s a feeling of pride and
joy in family’s eyes, a treat to watch a sense of excitement on friend’s faces.
It’s a journey that starts a few years back
when a cousin brother got commissioned in the Army. Listening how he achieved
it and watching the satisfaction on his parents faces, I use to think should I
also try it? Am I capable of achieving it? Do I really want to be an Army
officer? But at that point of time, I never felt about it by heart.
Then I met Bhushan in my life, a friend who
completely changed it for me. Frankly, it is because of him along with my
mother, I am here standing as an Indian Army Officer in the making. Listening
to his experiences about SSB’s, the life a Gentleman Cadet (GC) in the academy,
the kind of honour and respect an officer receives, the dignity in the Defence
Services, made me fell in love with this career. Along with it all, it was my
mother’s motivation; her words always encouraged me and made me believe that,
yes I can do it. And I started thinking about it, dreaming about it, preparing
for it. It was my father’s friend an ex-serviceman, because of whom I started Meeting
people from the defence services, which helped me to know in detail about the army
and the entrance exams.
With this all and some preparations, I gave
the CDSE, cleared it and then came the first call-up letter for the SSB. The
day 24th July 2013, from where the real journey began and considering
everyone’s views, I decided to take some training which would help me to get
familiarized with the process of SSB. With it, I went to the SSB, and with
everyone’s wishes and hopes I gave my best shot, but somehow fall short of
touch line.
On 23rd September 2013, after the
conference results, it was a tough pill to swallow. But, family and friends
made it easy. The realization of not getting recommended actually gave me and
impetus to perform better and introspect. After which with a wisely guidance of
Ret. Brig. Harish Chande, Col. Durga and Lt. Col.
Indrajit Ghoshal, I started to understand the SSB better.
The psychological techniques really made me
to think positive, to act positively at any situation. The GTO technique’s made
me realize the importance of group work and planning and time management along
with the social adaptability factor. The interview techniques made me speak, made
me introspect and really look where I stand. With this all three ‘मनसा’, ‘वाचा ‘and
‘कर्मा’, the wheels of mind and brain started churning, started thinking
deep.
With this all and a rejuvenated mind, I
entered the SSB again and it did wonders to myself. And today, watching my name
in the merit list I feel proud with a sense of satisfaction, for the efforts I
put in. But as the President Sir said, it’s just a start of another wonderful
journey… I thank each and everyone around me for helping me to reach this
position, and I hope I will walk the path of this wonderful journey with all
the blessings and support of all my friends and family and after a year and
half I will achieve the ultimate dream… of being AN INDIAN ARMY OFFICER.
Also Read
About Rohan Chavan
I am joining IMA 137 course on 12th July. Just want share my experience of the SSB and what I learnt throughout the process of it.