Wanted to join the Army, but couldn’t: Rajnath

Addressing personnel in Imphal, Mr. Singh recounted how he appeared for the examination to get into the forces

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that he wanted to join the Army but could not due to difficulties in his family.

Addressing the personnel of the Assam Rifles and 57th Mountain Division of the Indian Army in Imphal, Mr. Singh recounted how he appeared for the examination to get into the forces.

“I want to share a story from my childhood. I also wanted to join the Army, and once I appeared for the examination of the Short Service Commission. I gave the written exam. But, because of certain situations in my family, including the death of my father, I couldn’t join the Army,” he said.

“You will see, if you give the Army uniform to a kid, his personality changes. There is a charisma in this uniform,” he said in the same vein.

The Defence Minister was accompanied by Army Chief General Manoj Pande during the visit to the headquarters of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) in Mantripukhri, where they met the troops.

Mr. Singh recounted the valour shown by the security forces during the India-China standoff.