Compulsory Military Training in Schools and Colleges
India has been facing a number of serious problems of security since its independence. Our neighbouring countries are not friendly to us. Our Western, Northern and North-East borders are disturbed. Pakistan is creating numerous problems on the border as well as inside our country. It has already forced four wars on India. China also claims a good part of our northern territory as its own. It has occupied a large part of our territory. China attacked India in 1962 following a border dispute. China and Pakistan are maintaining good relations. China has been continuing military assistance and moral support to Pakistan. We cannot rely even on Bangladesh. Bangladesh has started nuisance against India. There are a number of cases of cross border terrorism being carried out by Pakistan through Bangladesh. In this situation India needs to be militarily strong and vigilant for enabling it to easily outstrip the capabilities of these countries under any circumstances. In this context, it will be necessary to give military training to all the students right from schools and colleges, for ensuring self-defense during any kind of eventuality and assisting the military authorities during war.
The techniques of war are different today. No country can be able to come out successfully in the modern age without adequate upto date and efficient military plan and training. It takes a considerable time to train the people on military matters and that too with modernized weapons and equipment’s. It is necessary to start the military training in schools from the beginning and it should be continued up to the period of their studies in colleges. Those trained young men will be able to face any kind of challenges and situations. They can be utilized by the nation as a reserve force of the country.
In a democratic country, all the citizens have equal responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the nation. All the citizens must be ready to answer the call of the nation during emergency to ensure victory. This can be possible only when all the youth and other citizens of the country are militarily trained. It can be done conveniently during the period of student life.
Military life is known for its discipline. Military training teaches obedience, punctuality, behaviour, co-operation and so many other things of the discipline which are very important for each and every one throughout the life. The citizens with a disciplined motto can make the nation truly great. India needs more and more young men with such qualities, who can set up examples before the nation and can make sacrifice for the causes of the country. The argument leads towards the conclusion that military education in schools and colleges is the only answer for ensuring safety of the people both during peace and war time. Militarily trained persons can be utilized for civil defence as well as against external aggressions.
Military training is very interesting. There are numerous activities which are carried out during military training. Some of them are related to physical training, parade, crossing of various obstacles, horse riding, para jumping and swimming. Everybody will like to carry out these activities with joy and pleasure. The other activities are arms training, firing, warfare, motor driving, bridging training, mountain climbing and so on. All are very pleasure giving and everybody would like to perform them interestingly. The students will feel mental refreshness after doing all these physical activities and do better in studies too.
Military training keeps a person physically fit and mentally alert, which gives confidence to fight against odds both physically and mentally. Military training is a matter of pride for all citizens. We should definitely give this opportunity to everyone by making the military training compulsory in schools and colleges.
Military training gives sense of duty, develops leadership qualities, teaches about comradeship and generates the sense of responsibility which are very essential for becoming a good citizen. It is for the schools and the colleges to produce militarily trained and competent youth for the nation. We should give example of the country like Israel where military training is compulsory for each and every one including students. The trained youth are used during natural calamities for rescuing people and properties. They are also used against external aggressions there in Israel. Israel, despite a small country, is militarily strong and compulsory military training has been very significant in this regard. Its youth have shown to the world about their bravery and patriotism towards the nation. ‘
The military training should he made more attractive for enabling the students to accept challenges willingly and do better. It should be made compulsory and included in the system of examination which will be very exciting to all the students. Under these circumstances they will undertake the training with interest and specific objectivity. Adequate preference should be given for physical fitness through outdoor games and activities. The requirement of education on military matters to a great extent is necessary for bringing quality of soldierly profession. The students, so trained, should be given preferences in jobs mainly in armed forces and para military organization. The requirement of military training and education on military matters in each and every school or college must be recognized and made purposeful.
If the military training is made compulsory in all schools and colleges and carried out as per the laid down norms, India will be able to produce talented, qualitative and true citizens who can keep the nation safe under any situation.
