Indian army has published the list of recommended candidates who have cleared the SSB interview for SSC 57 Men technical entry. SSC Tech is a special entry for engineering graduates that allows them to apply for the SSB interview directly without any written exam. All the candidates on the merit list will get the joining instructions as per the order in the merit list. The course was scheduled to start at OTA Chennai in Oct 2021. There are 70 male candidates who have cleared the SSB interview of SSC 57 technical entry, the total vacancies. Team SSBCrack congratulates all the successful candidates.
Candidates who have not submitted copies of all semester marksheets, Degree/Provisional degree certificate and other requisite documents as mentioned in course notification are required to submit immediately a self-attested scanned copy of the same on ‘Feedback/ Query’ option on our website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in or by Fax (No 011 – 2619-6205).
Joining Letters (JL) will be issued as per MERIT subject to Vacancy, Medical fitness, submission of requisite documents and meeting all eligibility criteria as per course notification.
The Passing Out Parade (POP) will be held at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on December 11, said an official press release. President Ram Nath Kovind will take the salute as a reviewing officer in the parade. This year 319 Indians and 68 foreigners will step into the 387 Gentlemen Cadet Parade.
IMA administration is busy preparing for POP. In view of the arrival of the President, special attention is being paid to the security arrangements. Before the Passing Out Parade, Graduation Ceremony will be organized on December 3, Commandant Award Ceremony on December 8, Commandant Parade on December 9, MultiActivity Display and Sound and Light Show will be organized on December 10.
After this, the main parade will be organized on December 11. The IMA administration has almost completed the preparations regarding the parade.
“NEVER GIVE UP ON SOMETHING YOU BELIEVE“. Hello aspirants, I am Ayush Pathak, recommended from 18 SSB Allahabad for INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY in my first attempt. 5 years ago, back in 2016, I was shattered and broken. Honestly, sobbing. I felt like things were just kinda hard and I just wanted to quit, to be honest. I had no one to speak my heart out. Friends betrayed me, family friends and close ones bitched a lot about me, everyone left like a passing wave. Just because of one fuckin breakdown in my 12th grade. From getting 10 CGPA in 10th grade, 90% in 11th grade to 63% in my 12th grade. I always wanted to be a fighter pilot. Always had a dream of joining NDA. I was actively playing basketball, badminton at KVS level. I was actively participating in various extracurricular activities. I was an active member of 8 KAR NCC Battalion. Everything was streamlined towards my goal. After the results, everyone judged and made their own perception about me on the basis of my percentage.
Not even a single person was interested to know the reason. After that, I have appeared for the NDA examination twice but couldn’t clear it. I was not eligible for TES because of my percentage. All the doors were shut to appear for SSB. I lost a lot of faith in myself and it was getting really hard to push through. I decided to apply for the sports quota to join RV college of engineering, Bangalore. It brushed up the little broken pieces of heart. I got the seat in Mechanical Engineering there. Joining the best engineering college of Karnataka shut a lot of mouths. I was not at all happy and satisfied. Deep down, I knew that this is not something I wanted. It took me a semester to sort the swirling whirlpool inside me. I was literally craving for just one SSB attempt. I used to cry but didn’t let anyone know about it. I was known as an angry military sort of a guy in my college. I researched a lot about various entries to get commissioned. I got to know about service entry to join IMA after joining Airforce as an airman. I decided not to sob anymore and not to quit on my dreams. I joined Airforce. And utilized every single opportunity that I got Like being squadron senior, inter command basketball championships. debate competitions, camp briefings, and whatnot. I was enhancing myself each passing day. Then I got selected for Republic Day Parade Contingent and I got posted to New Delhi.
This was the turning point of my life. I was focused, was preparing and I didn’t leave any stone unturned. Cleared the written examination and was eagerly waiting for my SSB attempt. I was indulged in a lot of physical activities in my day-to-day regime as I was a ceremonial contingent. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the best marching contingent(INDIAN AIRFORCE) of Republic Day Parade 2020. Seeing tanks and various contingent commanders leading their contingent on Rajpath during RD 2020 made my decision concrete to join the Indian Army. Finally, the day had arrived,13th November 2021. I was standing outside the gate of 18 SSB, Allahabad. I was emotional and touched the ground before entering the gate. I had a quick flashback of me craving for one SSB attempt and all the work that I had done. I was super energetic, confident, and excited for the whole process.
TOTAL REPORTED- 70, SCREENED IN- 25, out of which 6 of us were fresher. After the documentation, we went back to the lines and I was allotted with Blue chest no.17.[My favorite color and the date I had my conference :’) ]. I was getting vibes that yes this is the attempt for which I was craving for so long. I was full-fledged prepared. I didn’t leave any stone unturned. I was feeling as if I have carried the 5the generation weapons and armor along with me to fight this battle. I interacted with most of them the very first day in our candidate lines. I slept off on time and woke up with the same josh. We reported to the Psych testing hall.
TATs went really well. I felt as if the time given to write the story is more because I drew lines after each story that I have written. I have attempted all the 60 WATs. I have attempted 43 quality SRTs and written my SD well with the lines in between. I was feeling as if I was writing my English board examination. Fortunately, my handwriting came out nice and it went smooth as expected. We were sent back to our candidate’s lines. Interviews were scheduled in different groups. My interview was scheduled for the next day. I went along with my friends to have snacks and coffee in the wet canteen. Further, I took them to play basketball. We came closer to each other and started knowing each other well. The next day, GTO Day 1 was scheduled. We were divided into 3 groups and asked to report to 18 SSB’s GTO ground. We had 2 GD’s in the beginning. I participated well and gave facts, data and figures. I was not interrupting anyone and everyone was listening to me. It went smoothly and was productive. After that GPE went well. It was smooth and productive. Further, We all were called for GOR(snake race). There was a candidate with an injured leg in my group. Everyone thought it would hamper our performance. I motivated the group and took them along with the loud war-cry that we had mutually decided. I helped and motivated him throughout the obstacles. I helped him to climb the walls, balancing beams, and carried him on my shoulder to take him off from the wall. Throughout the GOR, I was shouting the war cry and motivating the group. We finished late but I knew we had done our part. GOR is not at all about winning, it is all about the team and team efforts. I pumped them all and we were taken to PGT AND HGT grounds. My group finished all the obstacles in a few minutes. Though I was inside the obstacles and I was getting solutions very quickly. I took my group together and was listening to their ideas also.
I supported them and gave many high-level ideas. We went back to our candidate lines and my interview was scheduled. I quickly took shower and wore my formals along with the tie that my love has given me. I was very confident and excited. My interview went for about 1hours and 30minutes, my IO asked me a lot of army-based questions like which regiment? why? tanks? guns? structures and organization? specifications? and a lot more about the army. I was very well prepared for these questions. I answered him in detail and he was impressed. Further, he asked many academic questions, calculative questions, and general questions about my life, family, place, workplace, salary and why did I join Airforce? I have answered them in a very clear picture. Basically, I felt that as if my father is sitting in front of me. It went really good and I was extremely happy with my interview session. The next day we had GTO Day 2, I completed 11 Individual obstacles, my CT was tough, all the movable structures and continuous pressure from GTO about the time and breaking the obstacles.
I completed my CT in less than 6 minutes. I had a hint that I have done well in GTO as well. Further, in FGT I was inside the obstacle and was taking a group together while implementing the high-level ideas. All the GTO tests were over and we were asked to go back to our candidate lines. I was extremely satisfied and confident with my performance. We played basketball that evening also. Everyone was so damn well connected to each other. I prepared my uniform for my conference. And I slept off on time. The next morning, we packed our luggage and asked to report to shed 2. My conference went for about 4 minutes, Board president asked me general questions about the stay and food. I smartly marched out and after reaching the road I jumped and shouted “YESSSS” in happiness. I calmed myself down and turned back to see if anyone had seen me. One major was visible through the gate of the conference hall. He smiled seeing me doing that. Senior GTO came along with the results file and he announced that only two of us got recommended.
I was thinking about the other name as I knew that one is me for sure. He called my chest number. We marched forward and stood aside. I had a flashback of all the things that I have undergone. I remembered my parents and I was full of gratitude. JUST BEFORE THE CONFERENCE, I had the same cry in my room but this one was a cry of gratitude and pride that I had pushed through and gone through that and I didn’t quit. And it’s these moments, it’s this journey and I felt like I already had the plus sign on my chest. It’s the experiences, knowing that you pushed past times where you wanted to quit. And you got shit done, you pushed through it. From the breakdown to getting recommended in the very first attempt. Failure has made me who I am today. Failure gives you two choices, you stay down or you get up. Well, I’m up and fired up because I figured it out. The constant love and support from my family, my teacher, my mates, my friends, and my love has pushed me every day. Thank you for believing in my next destination: INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY, DEHRADUN.
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“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.” ~James Baldwin
This famous quote from James Baldwin perfectly suits the newly released defense book ‘The Force behind The Forces: Stories of Brave Indian Army Wives.’ It is published by Penguin Random House in November 2021. The book is based on real-life stories in an attempt to highlight the extraordinary and also heart-wrenching journey of our Killed In Action soldiers and their brave wives who have suffered the greatest loss of their lives. While there have been books on wars and our soldiers glorifying only the battlefield this is for the first time that a unique book hopes to tell people that our soldiers are much more than that and their families are no less. What makes the book truly exceptional is that it is been written by an Army Wife herself ‘Swapnil Pandey’ whose been married into the fauji tribe past 14 years leading a nomadic life in Army cantonments all over the country amongst extraordinary men and women which eventually pushed her to come up with the most extraordinary stories from Army life. The author’s background not only makes the book authentic but also provides a greater depth of emotions. Her earlier two books ‘Soldier’s girl’ and ‘Love Story of a Commando’ are works of fiction and she came up with this non-fiction based on real-life stories in an attempt to come out of her comfort zone of writing fiction only which is a constant quest for any writer.
The multinational conglomerate publishing company which was formed in 2013 by the historical merger of Penguin Group and Random Group had acquired this ambitious book highlighting the legitimate glimpses of the relationship between an Indian soldier and his wife in late 2020 and long decided to release this book by fall 2021. Manasi Subramaniam Executive Editor and Head of Literary Rights at Penguin Random House India who actually commissioned the book called ‘the Force behind the Forces’ extraordinarily moving. Not just her, the other editors Shubhi Surana, Aparna Abhijit, Divya who worked day and night just to meet the deadlines on the book written by author Swapnil Pandey fiercely believed that every Indian must read the book.
Book Blurb
Who continues to pay the costs of war long after our soldiers are gone?
There are many stories of courageous heroes at the borders, but how much do we know about the women standing strong behind them?
The Force Behind the Forces is a collection of seven true stories of eternal love, courage and sacrifice. Written by an army wife, Swapnil Pandey, this book brings to light moving stories of unimaginable valour in the face of broken dreams, lost hopes and shattered families. It proves that bullets and bombs can only pierce the bodies of our soldiers, for their stories will live on in the hearts of these brave women forever, women who have dedicated their lives to the nation, without even a uniform to call their own.
Book Cover
The Book cover is eye-catching and thrilling. The balance of feminine and masculine elements of the book had correctly been depicted by the pictures of a lady in combat boots along with her soldier and several tanks amidst dust on the battlefield. There is a splash of neutral and earthy colours of olive green and brown. The cover designers of team Penguin had a challenging task for a unique book cover for a unique book and they eventually came up with 13 unique designs suiting the stature of the stories and the people written in the book.
Book Specification
Title: The Force Behind The Forces
Genre: Defense, Patriotic, Action, Romance
Category: Non-fiction, Real life stories
Publisher : Penguin Random House
Language : English
Paperback : 256 pages
Author : Swapnil Pandey
Rating: 4/ 5 (I am deducing 0.5 mark for this book not having a hardcover and the rest of 0.5 for this exceptional book not being available in other languages like Hindi or Telugu)
Available on: all leading online portals Amazon, Flipkart, Kindle and bookstores across India
Book Review
The book starts with an emotional dedication to all the Veer Naris telling them that in their quest of finding strength they inspire the nation and the second line of the book dedication at the front few pages also reminds them that they are not alone and nation stands with them. This touches all the cords of your heart; nostalgia, overwhelming emotions and curiosity all the feelings hit you at once. Soon, you turn the pages and realise the book not only comprise exceptional stories of brave Veer Naris and martyrs but it also has vivid notes from women like Mrs Meghna Girish mother of brave Major Akshay Girish, Mrs Damyanti Tambay wife of Flt lt V. V. Tambay (one of the missing 54 Indian defense personnel from the 1971 Indo-Pak war who are believed to be in Pakistani custody and reviews by military stalwarts like General V. P. Malik, Former Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain, Former GOC 15 Corps, Wing Commander M.A. Afraz (retd), Founder, Honourpoint (an online memorial for every Indian soldier and more. In fact, the book was launched by Dr V Mohini Giri Padam Bhushan who is a beacon of hope for women all across the world. This lifts your spirit and also gives you hope for a nice book read of a book based on the defense world.
The novel is exceptional in that it not only covers counter-insurgency operations and various thrilling missions like any other defense novel based on Indian Soldiers and their valour on the battlefield but the complexity of the emotions that the family of a soldier holds is also portrayed perfectly. I would like to applaud the author for picking up the subject which is extremely emotional and weaving it perfectly with the exceptional valour, courage, pride and dignity that a soldier reflects in the line of duty which eventually becomes the character of a Fauji family. The army wife army brats and the army life can be seen at its full bloom while you flip the pages of the fresh and newly released book. The book comprises seven real-life stories from the Indian Army. Each story is unique from the previous story in its plot, depiction and flow. Every story has an inspirational factor of a unique dimension. Story number one can give you hope and story number two might give you the resilience to stand against all odds the last story of Captain Nagappa and his wife Soumya Nagappa would in fact make you smile and warm your heart. The writer Swapnil Pandey in fact closes the novel with a note that how she had been successful in finding that one story where there is a happily ever after. I would highly recommend The force Behind The Forces: Stories of Brave Indian Army wives to every Indian to read. It is one of the top 10 books to be read once in a lifetime for every Indian. The language and flow are superb as is the trademark of Penguin acquired books. Even though the book provides a lot of glimpse about military culture and ethos and working style never for once you will feel that it is documented, just the sheer joy of uninterrupted reading for any book lover.
Stories featured in the book
The Nation Cried With Her: Lt Nitika Kaul and Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal
An Eternal Love Story: Trupti Nair and Major Shashidharan Nair
Never Give Up: Major Priya Semwal and Naik Amit Sharma
The Last Gift: Sujata Chaudhury and Major Satish Dahiya
Two Bodies, One Soul: Sarika Gulati and Lt Col Rajesh Gulati
An Empowered Woman: Jaya Mahto and Lance Naik Rajkumar Mahto
The Kargil Love Story: Sowmya Nagappa and Captain Naveen Nagappa
An ‘unputdownable’ Book! Do Buy Now! Here is the buy link
Paratrooper Sonam Tshering Tamang was enrolled into The Parachute Regiment on 28 June 2014 and has been operating in OP RAKSHAK ever since. On 04 April 2020, Paratrooper Sonam Tshering Tamang was part of the Special Forces detachment which was helidropped in Keran Sector (Jammu & Kashmir) to intercept and eliminate an infiltrating column of terrorists. After wading through waist deep snow for over five hours, the squad successfully established contact with the terrorists. In the intense close quarter fire fight that ensued, both the squad commander Subedar Sanjiv Kumar and Paratrooper Amit Kumar sustained gunshot wound and the remainder of the squad was out of communication.
Paratrooper Sonam Tshering Tamang after carrying out a quick mental survey of the situation moved ahead tactically to evacuate his squad commander. He successfully evacuated his squad commander under intense fire from the terrorists. Paratrooper Amit Kumar was injured and was pinned down by accurate fire from the terrorists. Sensing grave danger to his buddy, Paratrooper Sonam Tshering Tamang in a daring act crawled towards the boulder and killed one terrorist with accurate rifle fire at close quarters.
Lt Colonel Rawat from the elite Special Forces was team leader of a mission-oriented team, deployed along the LoC in J-K for conduct of counter infiltration and counter terrorist operations. On receiving inputs about infiltration attempts by terrorists, he led his team to a 36 hours search and kill ambush, in a tough terrain and under difficult weather conditions near LoC. He and his team killed four terrorists during the operation.
Lt. Colonel Rawat was awarded the gallantry medal for leading his team into a 36 hour ambush of terrorists attempting to infiltrate. He gave specific positions for two terrorists resulting in their successful elimination. He also guided his team to safety from the retaliatory fire by the enemy and later located the remaining terrorists, eliminating two of them and grievously injuring others.
Indian Air Force ace pilot Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman was conferred the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind in an investiture ceremony on Monday. Varthaman was recently promoted to the rank of Group Captain.
Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft after engaging in an aerial dogfight on February 27, 2019, a day after IAF’s Balakot airstrike.
Naib Subedar Narender Singh (now Subedar) was part of the party deployed to prevent infilteration across the Line of Control While being deployed on the Line of Control, own surveillance detachment detected move of heavily armed hostiles intruding across Line of Control with likely aim to carryout violent action upon own posts. Naib Subedar Narender in a daring and calculated tactical move led his Squad through dense undergrowth and a narrow minefield safe lane during a pitch dark night.
He displaying nerve of steel and quick thinking, sited his squad along anticipated ingress routes of the hostiles. He alogwith his buddy Havildar Bhal Singh initiated contact at close quarters. In the ensuing firefight, he shot two hostiles dead at extreme close quarters and wounded another one. His aggressive actions led to foiling of attempt of the hostiles to target own posts. For his most conspicuous gallantry, tactical acumen and outstanding leadership in combat, Nb Sub Narender Singh is awarded “SHAURYA CHAKRA”.
PROUD MOMENT FOR THE ASSAM RIFLES FAMILY: DAUGHTER GETS COMMISIONED AS AN OFFICER IN THE INDIAN ARMY It was a proud moment for the Assam Rifles Family when on 20 Nov, the daughter of Hav KS Negi of 20 Assam Rifles was commissioned as an Officer into the Indian Army.
Lt Ekta Negi was commissioned in the Corps of Army Air Defence. The proud father is seen saluting the newly commissioned officer, his daughter, Lt Ekta Negi.
Here are some pictures of Cadets at Officers Training Academy OTA Chennai that will motivate all the young defence aspirants.The Officers Training Academy is a training establishments of the Indian Army that train officers for the Short Service Commission. The 49-week course at the OTA prepares graduates for all branches of the Army, except for the Army Medical Corps.
178 cadets including 124 men, 29 women 25 foreign nations passed out of the Officers training academy in Chennai on Saturday. “A total of 124 Gentlemen Cadets of the SSC-112 and 29 Women Cadets of the SSC (W)-26 Courses got commissioned. 16 Gentlemen Cadets and nine Women Cadets from Friendly Foreign Countries also completed their training,” read the official release of the Indian Army.
The parade was reviewed by Lieutenant General CP Mohanty, Vice Chief of Army Staff, who also presented the Sword of Honour and OTA Gold Medal to ACA Siddhanth Sharma, Silver Medal to BUO Dimple Singh Bhati and the Bronze Medal to BCA Muneesh Kumar, as per the release. The officers go through eleven months of integrated training which transforms these “men and women into future leaders of the Indian Army.”
