4,300 take part in Army recruitment rally

Tribune News Service

Mandi, October 6

More than 4,300 candidates took part in an open Army recruitment rally organised at the historic Paddal Ground here today. The five-day rally is being organised for the youths of Mandi, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts.

Col Amarjeet Vasudev, Commander, Army Recruitment Office, Mandi, said it was for the first time that registration of the candidates was done online in the state. They had received 11,256 online applications till September 30, he said and added that nearly 600 more applications had been received after the closing date.

Of the total applicants, nearly 9,800 were from Mandi district alone. As many as 74 applicants were from Lahaul-Spiti and nearly 1,300 from Kullu district, he added.

Col Vasudev said 4,304 applicants took part in the race and other physical activities and 427 remained absent. He said 3,302 applicants appeared for the general duty and 1,102 for the post of clerk.

Col Vasudev said Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) provided extra bus services to ferry aspirants, the health department had deputed a team of doctors, the IPH Department provided drinking water facilities, while the MC took care of the sanitation.

Overwhelming response was received to the recruitment rally and religious organisations came forward to help the candidates. Gurdwara management provided free food, Nirankaris served free tea and dharamasalas gave free accommodations to the aspirants.

He said the online registration of candidates was made mandatory for the recruitment. Recruitment was being held for solider (general duty), soldier (clerk) and for the Defence Service Corps (DSC).

The candidates, who had registered between September 24 and 30 and not received their admission cards on their e-mails, could take part in the rally on October 9. Those candidates who had been given October 10 as the date of appearing in the rally could also take part in the rally on October 9.