Realism in training key to Army

BANGALORE: “If you want your troops to follow you, you will have to be closer to them. Realism in training matters most to the Army, and not paper-training,” said Major General Ashoka Kumar Pradhan, General Officer Commanding, Head Quarters, Karnataka and Kerala (K&K) Sub-Area.Touching upon various initiatives put in place in the last two years under his command, Pradhan told Express in an interview that the Indian Army is swiftly turning into one mighty force that dates technology 24x7.The K&K Sub-Area’s first Major General said that his team undertook three major missions in the last two years, with focus on training, education and welfare of exservicemen.With the Indian Army pacing ahead with a massive modernisation drive, the task was cut out for Pradhan to put modern training philosophies in place.“There are many training centres under the Sub- Area and the fundamental mission was to transform all the units in tune with the changing times.We ensured that the infrastructure development was never wanting for funds,” Pradhan said.In the education sector, he said the Army Public School, the Army Institute of Hotel Management and the Army Institute of Fashion Design underwent striking reforms.“To me, running educational institutions as part of the Army charter is one option and the other running them with absolute focus and in mission-oriented mode.We chose the second one and the results poured in.No one spares a thought for our children who are the worstsufferers with most ending up studying in six to eight different schools at different locations across India, till their Class-12.Hence, it was important to focus on providing quality education to them,” Pradhan said.He said that his Sub-Area took up the welfare of ex-Servicemen as a matter of pride, though the charter rested with the state governments.“It is important that we take care of our seniors who gave their sweat and blood to the nation.I want every serving officer under my command to realise that sooner or later they too will be sitting outside the fence.Our ex-servicemen are our jewels,” said.