There is a tradition of Generals, Admirals and Air
Chiefs swearing by Kilo, Lima, Charlie, Delta or the other squadrons they
belonged to during their days at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
Today officer shortage backed by bureaucratic
delays and reasons unknown, gentlemen cadets belonging to three newly raised
squadrons, Panthers, Quebec and Romeo, may not recall their squadrons with so
much fondness. They are forced to stay in plastic porta-cabins.
The increase in cadet strength at NDA was prompted
by shortage of officers in the Indian Armed forces. The academy breached the
2000-cadet mark in May 2011 from 1,800. Today, the total number of cadets is
over 2,100.
The squadron strength was raised to 18 from 15.
While the 16th squadron, Panthers, was raised in 2010, 17th squadron Quebec and
18th squadron Romeo were raised in 2011-12.
But three years after the NDA created the 16th
squadron not a brick to house them has moved on ground zero.
In fact, even the ad-hoc arrangement, porta-cabins
as they call it, were inaugurated by former Army Chief General V K Singh in
March last year.
"While the Panther squadron will be part of
the fourth Battalion, Quebec and Romeo squadrons will be part of the newly
created fifth Battalion. The NDA was initially established to accommodate and
train 1,500 cadets. The Academy presently trains more than 2,000 cadets
including 68 from friendly countries. With the increase in cadets, and a
further rise expected, a need was felt to reorganize the squadrons. This has
been done to improve command and control, provide for close supervision of
training and better administration," NDA had said after V K Singh's visit.
The first mention of creation
of 16th squadron was in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) annual report of 2010-11.
"The government has accorded 'in principle' approval for raising the 16th
squadron at National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, which is likely to be
completed by June 2013. The additional intake of 120 cadets will assist in
overcoming shortage of officers in the Armed Forces," the report said.
And
while the June 2013 deadline set by the report is nearing, the academy has just
disclosed the requirements for constructions needed for the 16th squadron at a
cost of Rs 1.55 crore with no mention of the 17th and 18th squadrons.
Another
example of the chasm between planning on paper and ground reality is evident
from the fact that when the academy strength has gone up to 2,100 cadets, the
most recent report of the Standing Committee on Defence tabled in Parliament in
August last year still spoke of accommodating only 1,920 cadets.
"Sanction
for the 16th squadron at NDA has already been accorded. This has enhanced
capacity of NDA from 1,800 cadets to 1,920. A proposal for raising the 5th
Battalion at NDA with 4 new squadrons is under consideration," it said
thus highlighting the much evident gap between planning and execution.
Permanent accommodation for about 360 cadets is thus not visible in near
future.
"At
the NDA cadets' squadrons are a tradition and whether a Hunter or a Mike
squadron wins cross country or bags a President's banner is followed by
officers across the three services with great enthusiasm. The walls of a
squadron are occupied by proud displays of historic achievements of its
meritorious alumni and the squadron spirit is what drive cadets, besides the
spirit of camaraderie and jointmanship, the very basis of foundation of this
tri-services academy. I am not sure if porta-cabins instill that kind of
camaraderie," a former NDA physical training officer said.
Another
retired general who visited the academy recently said, "I felt like
crying. The academy looked better in 1960 when we had lesser funds. Despite no
shortage of funds, this is the condition of the NDA."
The NDA
refused to reply to a detailed questionnaire sent by this paper.
By the kind courtesy of The
Indian Express
What is a Porta Cabin?
“Porta Cabins” are actually portable cabins which are very easy to
lift and shift anywhere ie from one place to another. These certainly add value
in terms of money & time. They are cost effective as compared with the
conventional buildings which take a lot more time for construction and also
very expensive. The "Porta Cabins" are made of various types of fabricated items and are quite durable.
The walls of “Porta Cabins” mainly
consist of marine ply board mounted on pinewood and insulated with thermocole, or
sandwiched panel Cement Fiber Board inter locked with rectangular hollow
sheets, or with EPS which is a type of insulated panel/material further
strengthened with G. I. Sheets. The flooring of “Porta
Cabins” usually consists of marine plyboard mainly
placed on a frame work of GI pipes. The roofing is usually of G. I. Sheets or EPS
panels supported on structural steel/strengthened aluminium.
Photograph of a few typical “Porta Cabins” are appended here just for the information of readers.
Click to Enlarge
Above information/photographs have been obtained/compiled by the kind courtesy of Internet (Google)
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the Joint Services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force train together and i want also a part of NDA, so i am waiting for the upcoming NDA applicaion form.
ReplyDeleteDear Friend,
DeleteWhy could you not disclose your identity, since, there is nothing to hide? You must have courage to do so. You can try getting the NDA application form from website http://www.iupsc.in/2012/12/upsc-nda-1-2013-online-application-form.html. This may be outdated and you could try for the latest from various links therin. Please do prepare hard once you have made up your mind. Best of luck for your success anyway. Col LK Anand Retd