ARC pass out parade sans local youths

Staff

Correspondent

Shillong, April 18: Meghalaya youths who are either reluctant to join the armed forces or ineligible could be visible again from the passing out parade of the 320th  batch of Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) Shillong on Wednesday. While the brave young passed out cadets from the entire region completed their course in style , none of the youths from the State were part of it.

The Sentinel caught up with Lutenant General, DS Ahuja, the General Officer in Command (GOC) 101 area on Wednesday to solicit his views on the factors related to motivation. He said that the armed forces, through various branches, have been carrying the job of imbibing the youths with the spirit to be part of the regimented family. When asked on whether the motivational aspect comes into play , General Ahuja conceded this is a factor, even as he said that more and more young boys are joining the Indian Army. Going by the public perception, the motivation and luring process through the National Cadet Corp (NCC) does not suffice.  General Ahuja said, “ We wanted the administration, the society, families and others to make our youths interested to join the armed forces.” Prior to his interaction with this correspondent, General Ahuja attested  286   recruits   of   320   batch   of   the Assam   Regimental   Centre who participated   in   a   magnificent attestation parade. Complimenting   the passing out batch for their   immaculate standards, he exhorted the warriors from the North-east to persevere in pursuit of excellence. Swaying   to  the  martial  tune of the   regimental song, the young recruits erupted in joyous cheer to mark a successful transition into valiant soldiers