JAMMU: More than 26,000 young candidates participated in a recruitment rally organized by the army after a five-year hiatus in Poonch, a border district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials reported on Sunday. In addition, another rally held in Dugga near Bhalra in Doda district attracted over 12,000 eager youths wanting to serve their country, according to them.
The recruitment rally in Poonch began on November 8 at the Advance Landing Ground in Surankote, aiming to fill 307 positions for soldier general duty and 45 openings for clerks and tradesmen in the Territorial Army, officials stated.
The rally welcomed candidates from 31 Tehsils across the Jammu division, including Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, and Jammu districts for the soldier general duty roles, while applicants from all of Jammu and Kashmir were eligible for the clerks and tradesmen positions.
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“More than 26,000 motivated candidates from the region participated in the selection process, demonstrating their physical and mental preparedness to serve the nation throughout the 10-day rally,” stated an army recruitment office official, who expressed contentment with the youth’s response.
He mentioned that the recruitment initiative aimed to create job opportunities and inspire the youth to consider careers in the armed forces. The candidates went through a variety of physical evaluations, such as a 1.6 km run, chin-ups, and other endurance challenges, followed by medical assessments and document verification, the official noted.
“The turnout from local youth has been extraordinary. It is inspiring to witness such enthusiasm and dedication towards joining the Indian Army. We are devoted to ensuring a fair and transparent selection procedure,” remarked an officer from the Territorial Army.
He added that around 4,000 candidates successfully passed the ground tests and will now proceed to the medical examination. Local residents praised the army for facilitating the recruitment drive in this border district.“This is a crucial move to tackle unemployment in border areas and promote a sense of pride and patriotism among the youth,” stated Syed Imtiaz Kazmi, a respected member of the Surankote community.
The officials noted that the event was held while strictly adhering to safety measures, ensuring the large crowd was effectively managed. The recruitment process is anticipated to carry on for the next three days, they indicated, with this rally marking another significant achievement in the Indian Army’s continuous efforts to strengthen connections with the community and create new prospects for the youth in a region that has historically faced employment and developmental challenges.
Many young candidates voiced hopes of securing a position in the esteemed armed forces, driven by aspirations to serve their country and support their families. Mohd Asad, a local of Poonch, mentioned that it was his first time attending the rally.
“I am eager to serve the nation by joining the army,” he stated. Another hopeful, Mohd Iqbal from the Haveli area of Poonch, expressed gratitude to the army for offering them a chance to serve the country. A defence representative informed that a 10-day recruitment rally for soldier general duty and soldier clerk and tradesmen is also underway at Dugga for residents of Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts from November 11.
The rally is experiencing an overwhelming turnout, with over 12,000 enthusiastic youths keen to serve the nation, he noted, adding that with determination in their eyes and patriotism in their hearts, these young people are embarking on a remarkable journey.
The rally provides an opportunity for young individuals to demonstrate their skills and contribute to the nation’s defense, according to the spokesman.
He emphasized that the army and the civil administration have collaborated to ensure the seamless execution of this rally. The military anticipates that this rally will be a great success and provide the youth of the area the opportunity to earn the respect of serving their homeland as “sons of the soil,” the spokesperson stated.