Bhubaneswar: Odisha-born Army officer Lt General Chandi Prasad Mohanty, who will be taking charge as Vice Chief Of Army Staff this month, said that he will make efforts for induction of more Odia youths in the Indian Army.
“I have taken note that less number of Odia youths are inducted in the Army. I will take up the matter after I take charge of my new assignment,” Mohanty told reporters on Tuesday after arriving at the Biju Patnaik International Airport.
He reached here in an Army helicopter, a day after attending a function at the Army Air Defence College at Gopalpur near Berhampur in Ganjam district.
Stating that the Indian Army has facilitated the induction of young women, he called on Odia women to join the Armed Forces.
Mohanty also said apart from this, there are several opportunities in the Core of Military Police. However, it requires intensive training which is not easy. Besides, the recruitment process is also very tough.
To a question on the prospects of formation of the Kalinga Regiment in Odisha, he said it cannot be said about a new Regiment at the moment. He however pointed out that the Indian Army has set up Naga Regiment after Independence and it has two battalions.
Mohanty, who will meet the ex-Army men of the 120 Infantry Battalion here this afternoon, is also slated to attend a function at the Sainik School tomorrow.