An IAS offical from the State is all set to don military fatigues after getting commissioned in the Territorial Army (TA) as a Lieutenant.
P Manivannan, the Chief Project Officer of Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project, will be attached to the 106 Infantry Battalion (TA), Parachute Regiment, Bangalore. He is the first IAS officer from Karnataka cadre to join the TA.
Manivannan has already completed a month-long training module with the Parachute Regiment. “I have already undergone basic weapon training. At school I was a NCC cadet and always wanted to join the NDA. But my parents insisted that I join a professional course,” Manivanna told Express.
Hailing from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, he cleared Civil Services in 1998.
He said he was inspired to join the TA by Capt Pradeep Arya, an IRS officer, now posted as Joint Commissioner of Income Tax in Belgaum. “Captain Pradeep gave me insights into TA and I couldn’t wait to take the plunge,” Manivannan said.
After clearing the written test in Pune and Staff Selection Board formalities in Bhopal, he said he had to wait for sometime before the state government agreed to grant him the mandatory no-objection certificate (NoC). “The government wanted to confirm first whether I was serious and I got the NoC after the third interview,” said the 42-year-old officer.
Post commissioning, Manivannan will head to Nasik to train for three-months and later to Agra for a month-long rigorous session in para-jumping. He is also likely to receive training for three-months in the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. “I am looking for more tactical training. Being in the Army is serious business and my alertness has increased,” says Manivannan.
Minister Happy
Public Works Department Minister H C Mahadevappa told Express that he is happy that an official from his department is all set to join the Indian Army. “It’s a matter of great pride that Manivannan has taken an inspiring step,” Mahadeveppa said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Anantha Krishnan M / ENS – Bangalore / March 11th, 2014