NDA aims to produce IT-smart officers

NDA aims to produce IT-smart officers
NANDA DABHOLE KASABE

PUNE, MARCH 8: The National Defence Academy (NDA) has taken to the net with a vengeance. It is using Information Technology (IT) as a tool to reach out to millions across the globe with the launch of its own web-site.

In a pioneering effort, the premier training academy is expected to reach out to millions of curious youngsters who always remained in awe of the entire training process that went into making lean and mean men out of raw cadets. Men who lead from the front and by example.

NDA Commandant Lt Gen S B S Kochar believes that IT would play a very vital role for the academy in the new millennium. The premier training institution is sparing no efforts to ensure that their cadets are computer literate. The fifth computer laboratory recently commenced functioning.

"The first batch of 150 cadets at the NDA receiving O2 level training in computers with effect from this term will receive the BSc (Computers) degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)," Lt Gen S B S Kochar told The Indian Express.

The computer is gradually replacing the ubiquitous files. Soon the entire documentation and administrative network will be shifted onto computers. Henceforth, the personal data of every cadet will be available at the flick of a button. Not merely stopping at enhancing the computer skills of the cadets, the academy has plans to train all its officers during the mid-term break this month. "There is a move to add another 100 computers so that cadets can operate these during their spare time," the commandant said.

Come April and the NDA will boast of new equipment to enhance the skills of its cadets. Apart from the eight new power gliders slated to arrive in the same period, the latest set of INSAS rifles will also make an appearance on the campus to train cadets in shooting skills besides water scooters, para-gliders and para-sailing equipment.

The NDA is going in for a major expansion with two additional squadrons slated to come up in the campus. "To meet the shortfall of army officers, there are plans to increase the intake of the cadets to 2400 in the next five years. This will involve building additional classrooms, sports facilities, additional training areas, training ranges, more animals for horse-riding," he said. "The NDA is our national heritage and, therefore, we want to make it the best," he said.

Planned in the future are friendly visits by cadets of other training academies and conducting tours for greater exposure on the front. CD-ROMs are also slated to come out soon with interesting bits of information on the hallowed academy.

The NDA Commandant is a worried man. No. His cadets are not romancing Sonali Bendres of the world a la Ajay Devgan in `Major Saheb'. It is the local love-struck population that is giving him sleepless nights. The Mandola Heights, adjacent to the academy, has become a cozy haunt for young couples looking for some privacy. When the seventeen-year-old cadets go cross-country running as part of their training, there are plenty of distractions. The fatherly figure is quite naturally anxious.

"We cannot expose our cadets to this kind of culture. It will definitely have an adverse impact on young minds," he said. The commandant revealed that he had taken up the matter at the highest level through army channels. So lovers, show restrain when doing the `Kaho Na Pyar Hain' act in the interest of the nation.

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