Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 9
More than half of the gentleman cadets (GCs) from Punjab, who were commissioned as lieutenants in the Army at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on Saturday, are from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) in Mohali.As many as 17 cadets from the AFPI were among the 29 from the state who passed out of the IMA on completion of their training. They are from the IMA’s 142 Regular CourseThis is the second batch of the AFPI cadets to become officers. The first batch had seen eight cadets being commissioned into the Indian Army. Among the AFPI cadets who passed out on Saturday are two brothers, Sehaj Jap Singh and Harsimrat Singh, who belong to Patiala. Sons of a lawyer, one went for the Armoured Corps and the other Signals. Two other cadets have a defence background. Their fathers served with the Infantry and the Army Education Corps.AFPI Director Maj Gen BS Grewal (retd) said their alumni were doing extremely well at the Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy as well. These include three midshipmen having completed their training at the naval academy and being commissioned in the rank of sub-lieutenant on May 26. Another cadet, who is undergoing training at the air force academy, is expected to be commissioned as a flying officer on June 16.The cadets had done two years of training in personality development and leadership qualities at the AFPI along with completing their Class XII before being selected for the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakvasla. The three-year training period at the NDA was followed by a year’s training at the IMA.Before the AFPI was set up in April 2011, Punjab was sending only six to eight boys to the NDA per batch. So far, six batches of approximately 40 cadets each have completed their training at the institute. Oover 110 cadets have been successful in joining various service academies for further training to become officers in the armed forces.
THE TRAINERS OF MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH AFPI
DIRECTOR: MAJ GEN BS GREWAL,VSM
Maj Gen Baljit Singh Grewal, VSM is an alumnus of Yadavindra Public School, Patiala, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun. He was commissioned into Hodson’s Horse (4 Horse) in Nov 1971. He has held various prestigious command, staff and instructional appointments in his illustrious career spanning four decades. For his devotion to duty and exemplary performance as Deputy Commandant NDA he was awarded the Vishisht Sewa medal by the President of India in Jan 2010. He is serving as Director General Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute at Mohali since Oct 2010.
PSYCH OFFICER: BRIG KD SINGH
A 1974 Commissioned officer, Brig (Retd) KD Singh, BE (Telecom), MBA served the Army for 37 years, in the Corps of Signals.
His service highlights include the unique exposure and experience gained as a Psychologist for a duration of 31/2years at 34 SSB, SCE, Allahabad as also a second tenure at Selection Centre Central, Bhopal as Senior Psychologist and Call Up Officer. He is well versed with the nuances of selection process for induction of candidates in the Armed Forces, and has assessed over 3000 candidates.
Other Important career milestones are Command of a vital Communication Unit in Cl (Ops) in J&K during ‘OP Vijay’ (Kargil War), Chief Signal Officer (CSO), of a Corps in Nagaland, Commander and Instructor Class ‘A’, Faculty of Combat Communications (FCC) at Mil College of Telecommunications Engg (MCTE) Mhow (MP).
GTO: BRIG RS GREWAL
Brig RS Grewal is an alumni of PPS, Nabha and OTA Chennai. Commissioned into 8th Light Cavalry in Sep 1979 and served the Army for over 37 years. He commanded his Regiment during ‘OP PRAKARAM’ and commanded an Independent Armoured Brigade. Served in the North East Insurgency Area for two tenures.
He has the unique exposure and experience as GTO for over 4 years having served at 11 SSB, SCE, Allahabad and as an Instructor at the Defence Institute of Psychological Research, New Delhi where in he imparted training to potential assessors to be posted at the SSBs.
