Sunday, December 11 2005 15:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: Gujarati youth, known for their inclination towards trade and business, are now keenly looking towards the defence forces as a more challenging career option.

The 'know-your-Army' exercise being held in the state for the past three years has reaped benefits with the percentage of Gujarati youths seeking jobs in the defence going up considerably, a top official of the state Home department said.

"Till a few years back, the quota from Gujarat (for armed forces) was virtually empty with hardly a few recruits showing interest towards defence as a career option. But now, this has changed and the percentage of youth from this state vying for a job in the defence forces has gone up to six per cent," the official told sources.

In the 'know-your-Army' exercise, the defence forces displayed their weapons and armoury and numerous defence personnel ranging from senior officers to soldiers interact with locals and give information about the functioning of the defence forces and the quality of work being done.

The recently-concluded 'know-your-Army' exercise was the third of its kind being held in the city and overwhelmed by the response from Gujarati youths, the Army held a similar programme for the first time in Surat city to spread awareness in south Gujarat, the official said.

"The awareness programme was organised in Surat as it was noticed that there was tremendous response from people across Gujarat who had come to Ahmedabad to just watch the Army exercises. All those living in south Gujarat can now come to Surat, witness the show and encourage youth to join the forces," a defence spokesperson from South West Air Command (SWAC) said.

The defence personnel said most of the Gujarati youth looking for careers in the forces were at present more at the soldier level.

"There has been a tremendous response for soldier-level recruitment from Gujarat. However, there is still time for those who are seeking officer-level jobs as the overall requirements, required for the post, have to be upto a certain level," the official said.

"To be an officer, one has to have leadership qualities and for that the candidate has to be good in communication and spoken English. Also, the candidate has to undergo some competitive exams. As of now, not many Gujarati youths have shown interest to this level," he added.

Interestingly, at a function in Jamnagar last year, the Air Force chief had remarked on the increase of Gujarati youths in defence forces and said that more than 200 people from this state had joined them in posts below rank of officer.