Hello everyone! I’m Yajur Chahal, I got recommended for IMA-148 course on 9th Sept 2019; CDS Entry from 31 SSB SCN Kapurthala. It was my 7th attempt and 1st attempt after Graduation. For the sake of tradition, I would want to share my experience but alongside that, I have a short story to story to share with all of you. On 3rd Sept, being excited as I would face the interview of IMA-148 (reporting date- 4th Sept) after 2 and a half years of my last attempt of TES 37.
- I bought some essentials, got a haircut and eventually got late. At 10 pm, after all the shenanigans I was heading towards my place on activa and two streets before, two cars were parked on both side of the road and all of a sudden one of car passengers of the left car opened its door. I banged myself into the door and the next thing I could was blood all over my face. The car owner came rushing towards me, took me inside and gave water to wash my face. After washing, it was deduced that the bruise is severe and my orbital septum was visible due to the big cut beneath my left eye.
- Within 15 minutes, they took me to the General Hospital, Panchkula and due to unavailability of Cosmetic Surgeon; they referred me to GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh. I called my parents in between and told them not to worry but being impatient of course, my father reached there. We all went to GMCH at 11:30 pm, got my X-ray done to check if there’s anything serious with bones. I got two layers of stitches beneath the eye. And this process took 4 hours.
- At 3:30 am, I was home and my mother got much tensed seeing me like that. I had some food took the medication and slept. After 3 odd hours, I got up due to pain and I couldn’t open my left eye as it was all swollen.
Also Read: Story of Lt. Yajur Chahal Will Motivate Every Defence Aspirant
-It’s 4th Sept morning, and my parents were in doubt if I’ll be going for the interview or not. I didn’t let them know that I was in pain. Every time they asked me about it?
I told them, “EK ANKH SE TO ABHI BHI DIKH RAHA HAI NA, BOHOT HAI!”
- I packed my bag with my mom and they finally agreed on me going for the attempt. We all travelled to Kapurthala and reached there in time.
- I changed my clothes and sat with 37 other candidates who reported, everyone was asking about the incident and I told them briefly about it.
- The CHM came and asked me to sit aside and said, “I don’t think DSO will allow you to appear in the interview.” I got worried and tensed.
- My parents were standing outside the centre just in case I couldn’t get a chance to stay inside.
- The DSO (who was the GTO also) came, Addressed the candidates with an opening address and brief instructions about do’s and Don’ts in the centre. After an odd hour, when he was done, the CHM redirected him to me and I saw both of them talking.
- He came to me and said
DSO- Hey Chap, What’s your name?
Me- Yajur Chahal, Sir.
DSO- Okay Yajur, I can see that your condition is not at par to appear in this interview. There’ll be many things, outdoor tasks and written tests as well and it’s visible that you can’t open your left eye.
Me- No Sir, I’m pretty much fine!
DSO- Okay Get Up and come with me.
He stood in front of candidates with me and addressed them.
DSO- So, Mr. Chahal is here in a condition you can see. Do you think it’s justifiable to let him go through the process in such a condition?
Candidates- No Sir.
DSO- No doubt, it takes zeal to show up in such a condition, but if He has something inside him, he’ll come back again and will make the great too!
After this, He came with me aside and said
DSO- Look Yajur, I’m here to convince to not to take risks. Health is of first priority, go back home, get proper recovery and come back.
Me- (looking at him in the eye)
With due respect Sir, you’re right! And yes I’m in pain but I can’t just GO BACK!
He called somebody after this and talked for 15 odd minutes. After the call, He came and said that, “Okay Chahal, you take that Chest No. But Write a letter addressing Commandant SCN Kapurthala; about your condition and also that you’re fully responsible for your health.”
I, being overwhelmed after listening to this took less than a minute to write the letter and finally had the Chest No. and joined the rest of the candidates.
-The Screening tests went well, though it was of great difficulty to look with one eye but I got over with them!
16 out of 38 candidates made it through and my name was called 7th on the list and got the Chest No. 7. I told about it to my parents to go back as they were staying in the town if anything unusual happens.
-All the three accessors asked me about the mishap and everyone at the Centre came to know about the story in two days. I faced difficulty in psychology tests just because of not being able to look with both the eyes because I wasn’t at all habitual and comfortable that way. I wrote all my stories in time, attempted all WATs and SRTs.
-I called for the interview the same day, The IO was President of 31 SSB and he greeted me well. Though, there were certain things such as my academics where the declining of marks was really a question. But I tackled the questions well and applied
“TASTE THE WORDS BEFORE SPILLING THEM OUT!” technique there.
I wrote Poetry Writing as my hobby to which he asked me to recite one of my poems. He listened to the whole poetry and asked me in a humorous way,” For whom did you write this?”
I smiled and said,” Mere Imagination, Sir!”
-GTO was a challenge as an outdoor task was there. Which makes you sweat and I was said to not to wet the stitches!
Regardless of the stitches, I forgot about them for a while and gave me 100% to all the tasks. The swelling was there but I gave ideas in all the group tasks!
In GTO-II, I’ve attempted 15 obstacles and my group cheered me for that. They all acted friendly and we all did well in the GTO tasks!
That night we all 16 sat and joked around being it the last night before the conference.
In short, it was a wonderful joyride.
-My conference held for a very short time and was called earlier than that of the most candidates. I thought I’ve lost it and I was blaming myself for being in a position of not performing well.
-The psychologist came in the Result Room and told the unusual and mundane speech about NOT GIVING UP AND ALWAYS TRY TO GRAB THE OPPORTUNITY.
He finally opened the file and started calling Chest No.’s.
He said, CHEST NO. 9.
Faces of all candidates from 1 to 8 were pale and dull.
Next was CHEST NO. 14.
It sort of made everybody clear that there will be no recommendations from 1-8 and 10-13.
I was about to burst out being in regret and pain.
He said, CHEST NO. 7.
I was numb, THAT PART OF MY LIFE…THAT LITTLE PART RIGHT THERE! THAT IS CALLED “HAPPINESS”.
Out of 16 candidates, 5 of us got recommended.
I finally made the GREAT. And there was no doubt to it! So all my friends who are aspirants and been trying for defence Services, Always Remember.
“The Key To Success Is To Focus On Goals, Not Obstacles.”
-So, Have a Vision, Think Big, Ignore the Naysayers, Work your Ass Off, Change Your Life.
