We perceive challenges way in advance: NDA officer

Lt Gen Jatinder Singh, AVSM, SM, Commandant, NDA is an alumnus of the academy. In this free flowing conversation with DNA, he explains why the academy “is an incomparable institution”.
 
How does the NDA compare with similar, tri-services defence training establishments in the world?
Frankly, we cannot compare the NDA with any other defence training institution, because it was the first tri-services training academy in the world. The institution was born out of lessons learnt from the Second World War. It also stemmed from the far-sighted vision of our national leaders. To actually see this vision in practice, several  heads of state have visited the academy in the past five decades. NDA is one of its kind. It is incomparable.
 
What makes the NDA special?
The NDA is special because it is a brand today. We continue to maintain this brand of excellence at the academy. Almost always, all the three service chiefs are alumni of the NDA. This is certificate enough. In fact, a majority of the three-star officers in the armed forces today are also all former NDA cadets.
 
How is the  NDA moulding modern contemporary warrior officers for the country?
Education is evolving. Science and technology is constantly developing. Simultaneously, the art of warfare is also changing. We at the NDA recognise these changes and incorporate them into our training. We use the changes to increase the education threshold of the cadets.

The best example of our contemporariness is the massive computerisation drive undertaken by the academy. We are perhaps the first institution in the country where every single cadet has a computer notebook in his room. Thanks to the state-of-the-art campus area network installed by us, all academic work is solely done via computers. This is a big step forward for us because the cadets are connected to their teachers 24/7.

Similarly, our army cadets use the latest INSAS 5.56 rifles from the first term, the air force cadets fly motorised, Super Dimona HK36TC powered gliders and the naval cadets use computer-based interactive training packages and simulators to enhance their training.
 
What specific role does the NDA play in reducing the shortage of military officers in the country?
The academy does not play a direct role in reducing the shortfall.  Other defence training institutions like the Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, The Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun and the Air Force and Naval institutions are all working towards the same goal. Based on defence minister AK Antony's recent sanction, a whole new 16th squadron has been added to the academy and the total strength of cadets has gone beyond 2,000 for the first time.
 
What are the three biggest challenges faced by the academy and what steps have you taken to counter them?
Frankly, we are not facing any challenges at the NDA. We perceive challenges way in advance and find quick solutions to them. Otherwise, we do not qualify as leaders. If I had challenges on my plate, I would have been a failed leader. We follow a planned time-line and evolution of the academy is as per a pre-determined plan.

It is a well-known fact that you were the fastest runner at the academy when you were a cadet. Can you tell us your quickest time?
That brings back happy memories. Yes, I was the quickest sprinter at the academy and used to regularly clock 11 seconds flat for the 100 metres dash. We used very weird looking spikes and the starting blocks were also very rudimentary when compared to the equipment available now.

Also, in our times, the academy used to host the Pune region inter-college athletics meet inside the academy. It gave us a lovely opportunity to compete with the local athletes.