MADIKERI: Service to the nation appears to be in the DNA of Kodagu people. In the district known for brave warriors, some servicemen continue to serve the defence forces after their retirement too — by grooming prospective soldiers.
The Kushalnagar Ex-servicemen’s Association has been providing rigorous training to youths aspiring to join the defence forces for the last 10 years.
To join military, youngsters of Kodagu may not need a greater motivation than the profile of the district which has produced a field marshal, a general, many lieutenant generals and thousands of soldiers. A number of villages of the district have more than 10 serving or retired servicemen. Often, one can see 2-3 brothers serving the defence forces.
Ironically, Kodagu lacks a training institute to help youths join the military.
In 2007, the Kushalnagar association decided to fill the void. It started training sessions at government primary schools for those keen on joining the Army. Since then it has trained at least 2,000 youngsters.
The rigorous exercises include 2-km running, zigzag running, long jump, high jump, push-ups, yoga and meditation.
The training also means hard work for association president M N Monnappa and other office-bearers like A Janardhana, N S Suresh Kumar, Bojappa and Somanna.
As the exercises have to be completed before school hours, they have to be at the venues by 5.30 am. They spend at least two hours, till 7.30 am, with military-aspiring youths.
But physical fitness alone is not enough to join the defence forces. They have to pass written tests too which many aspirants find difficult. The association has addressed the need and holds coaching.
Janardhana says the training is free of cost and “we never expected a penny from the youths.
“The number of trainees sees a spike during job openings in defence, police, CRPF and other forces,” he observes.
According to trainer Naresh Kumar, the association provides information to youths when recruitments take place. “Hundreds have joined defence forces after training here,” says Naresh. He can be contacted on 9480640924.