A Poor Boy Becoming an Army Officer

By Fr. Benjamin Chang On 9th June 2018, a total of 457 gentlemen cadets, including 74 from seven friendly countries, namely Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Nigeria, Tajikistan and Tanzania. passed out from the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA). Among the 423 Indian Cadets, Uttar Pradesh had the highest 74, followed by Haryana with 49, Uttarakhand 40, Rajasthan 30, Bihar 28 and Delhi 23. My friend’s younger brother Benjong Lumba Chang was the only one from Nagaland, who had survived this four years training at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun and so it was indeed a long awaited time to be part of this grand Passing-out-Parade (POP). We had booked our flight tickets long time back in the month of December, 2017 in order to attend this particular event. Our younger brother, a Gentleman Cadet, that’s what all trainees at the IMA are called, was allowed to invite only four guests to the passing out parade, a ceremonial culmination of their rigorous training. It was an emotional feeling for me to meet him after almost two decades to see him stomp out of his army camp just like an ordinary guy before he became an officer in the Indian Army. I saw him growing up as a kid in the late 90s. Now this POP is a pretty sought-after function in and around Dehradun, with civilians and armies clamouring for entry passes, which is really unusual for any military events. Parents, friends, relatives, distant relatives, would-be in-law, everyone wants to be there when their boy gets his stars. Though the POP doesn’t start before 7:00 hours, we had to reach early by 5:00 a.m. because of the security checkings and limited seating, which is allotted on first-come, first-serve basis. And what fun it was! Not forgetting the impressive parade which the GCs put up after getting grilled for this particular passing out drill for the past one month. Yes, it takes that long to get the moves right and in sync with around 500 other GCs. Now while the GCs were standing in attention, the commentators were ranting about the academy’s history and we decided to take up this impossible task of finding our GC boy among all those lookalikes. He had not given us any idea about where he would be standing, so it was difficult to figure out where he was standing. The cadets displayed their Army Parade drills in perfect unison as the ceremony was watched by Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff Gen Rajendra Chhetri. Congratulating the cadets on the successful completion of their training, Gen Chhetri said that their excellent parade showed high standards of training and it was time to serve their armies with the sense of duty, loyalty and service to the nation instilled in them by the instructors of the world class institution. He also congratulated the award winners for their commendable achievement as it reflected the hard work they had put in. Once again, as the contingent parade pass by in front of us, we tried our best to see our boy marching. I wasn’t sure but picked among them and concluded that, he maybe the one (Later I was told that, unfortunately my guess was wrong). Then there was one time when the Adjutant of the academy, sitting on a handsome horse right at the end of the parade came. As the Adjutant was giving a salute to the dignitaries present there, his horse also left a scattered poop behind. And what a laughter we had! As soon as he left his position to move, a man, probably hiding behind one of Chetwode’s pillars, ran out with a dustpan in hand. In a matter of 30 seconds, he swept the horse’s poop, and ran back to disappear behind the Chetwode. And I told myself, he is the man “whose job is only to watch the horse’s ass”. After the parade, family members were asked to move to the Somnath Stadium for the oath taking ceremony. It was pretty hard for some of the family members to move around at armies speed because; we all came in different shapes and sizes. The stadium was full of people high on emotions. It was like a movie unfolding right in front of my eyes, as teary eyed mothers embraced their sons in uniform and fathers were proudly introducing them to others. Sisters just couldn’t stop taking pictures as parents uncovered the stars on their brother’s shoulder. I had the opportunity to move around there like a professional photographer while my friend and his father was uncovering the stars from our Young Officer’s shoulder with a mixed feeling of joy, tears and pride. The oath-taking ceremony, where the new officers vowed to serve the country, was a moment of great joy and pride. With all their hearts bursting fort, in unison they sang the army song and all the people gathered there too joined them in singing the National Anthem with so much respect and pride. It was followed by hugging, group push-ups, toasting up of their training officers and thousands of people dancing in the open ground which continued for a long time. The Choppers flew just above us showering the people with the betel of roses from above. These officers are now bonded for life. They may not meet again for months or years, but their “course-mate” would always be the first person they help when the need comes. Lieutenant Benjong Lumba Chang hails from a very poor family. His father Mr. Kushem Tochu was a daily wage earner for the whole family. He had to look after a family of two boys and five girls. Benjong Chang grew up to be a God fearing kid who helped his mom, Mrs. Alemla Chang for collecting firewood, farming and then selling the vegetables at the Tuensang daily bazaar. God came to rescue the family when his father, as the head of the family decided to embrace the Catholic Faith. His mother was not so willing, but the promised made by his dad to give up the habit of drinking alcohol on regular basis after the day’s hard work, made his mom to agree to join the Catholic Church. He got admitted to class II at St John’s School, Tuensang. Since his father had no money to pay the school fees, Rev. Father N.K. Abraham was so instrumental in helping this new Catholic family. He gave them concession and thus Benjong Chang was able to study for free till class X. His father would spend most of his time working in and around the school campus in order to meet the needs of the family. Rev. Fr. Carlos Angami also continued to support the family after the transfer of Rev. Fr. N.K. Abraham. As a young boy, Benjong Chang use to help his father’s work at the school campus after his classes. He got recruited to the Indian Army through the open rally which was held at Zunheboto Town in 2006 and served as Soldier on General Duty. As a soldier, he had money to help his family members but his desire to go for regular course in higher studies was not possible. He had to grab the opportunity to become an Indian Soldier before completing Class XII. But he never gave up on his studies. He enrolled himself for class XII. Because of his unadjustable holidays and exam timings, he was able to sit for the exams only after a gap of four years and passed in 2nd Division. After working under so many Army Officers, God inspired him to become like them. He started preparing for the competitive exams. He was able to crack the Army Cadet College Entrance Exam in his first attempt with 505 merits, out of 1500 selected candidates. He got recommendation from 34 SSB Allahabad and was declared medically fit. In 2014, he joined the Army Cadet College Dehradun, affiliated to JNU. He got graduated from ACC and joined the full-fledged training at Indian Military Academy for one more year. Life isn’t that easy. We need to make sacrifices in order to achieve our dreams to come true. Daily physical trainings were so hard. Food was altogether different but he adjusted to it. His legs got faster. Food was same but became better. On that final day it was difficult for him to leave his tiny cabin that gave him so much needed rest and solace. He couldn’t help but has to walk out of his room, walk out of his Campus with much prayers that many more young Nagas may also walk into his way of life. There are various level for which candidates has to get prepared to join IMA. Written Exams, Physical, Medical requirements and age limit are some of the basic requirement on the basis of which the candidates are selected. It is necessary that the candidates who wish to join IMA must have completed a degree in any discipline from a recognized university. One needs to pass the entrance test as like Other Forces. Through National Defense Academy (NDA) Exam: Candidates who have passed their Class 12th are eligible for appearing in NDA. Only male candidates are eligible to write this exam. Age limit is 16 to 19 years and should be unmarried. It is necessary that the Candidates should have completed 12th with required percentage in Physic, Chemistry and Maths as main subjects. Through Combined Defense Service (CDS) Exam: Male graduates can join IMA through CDSE. They have to appear for CDSE written and then Pass Service Selection Board (SSB). Should be medical fit and come in the final merit. Age limit is 19 to 24 years. There is no certain specific percentage which one needs to get in order to apply for the CDSE Exam. Through Technical Graduate Course: Those who are studying in final year or have completed BE/B. Tech in required streams can join IMA through Technical Graduate Course. Those who have completed studies can also join IMA through Technical Graduate Course within the age of 19 to 25 years. SSB interview is the mode of selection here. Through Army Cadet College: Army Cadet College runs a similar pattern as that of NDA, both feeding into IMA. This is only for any deserving serving soldiers who have completed class XII can join this college by clearing a written test and then pass the Service Selection Board interview. The total training in Army Cadet College is of three years.