Of late, there has been a realisation in the informed circles of the Northeast that one of the ways that integration with the greater Indian ideal would be possible is by increasing the number of entries into the officer cadre of the Indian armed forces.
Such a feeling has also crept into the innards of the region’s youth. To that end, even as there is a channelised yearning among the young and the able to shun paths of insurgencies and join instead the Indian growth trajectory, veterans such as Col. Dibya Shankar Bhattacharya are boldly enabling the rightful cause.
An alumnus of the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, Col. Bhattacharya hails from a celebrated family of Assam. A lawyer of repute, the former Indian army officer takes out time to school and groom the future of the enchanted frontiers for the calling of arms, and in the name of a proud Bharat.
Northeast News’ Jonathan Roy Tariang caught up with the veritable “Dronacharya” and spoke with him about his glorious past, successful present and sunrise plans for the future. Read on.
Jonathan: Sir, let me begin by congratulating you on your recent successes in mentoring the entry of candidates into the National Defence Academy (NDA). Could you elucidate?
Col Bhattacharya: Thank you very much. After more than 33 years of distinguished service, I left the Indian Army in August 2022 with a feeling that I must go back to my roots in Assam and facilitate the new generation to join the Armed Forces (Army/ Navy/ Air Force) since Assam and the Northeast is grossly underrepresented especially in the Officer Cadre. I started my guidance programme under the banner of “Dibya Shankar Foundation”. To ensure that I am able to reach the rural areas, I took recourse to technology (Internet) and have been teaching through online mode with dedicated physical interview guidance sessions on required basis.
Jonathan: You were yourself a topper in the entry to NDA in 1995. Could you elaborate about your career profile pre-entry and post entry to the NDA as also your career graph in the Indian Army and the training which you have received.
Col Bhattacharya: I was born on August 6, 1968 at Guwahati and had my early education at Don Bosco School, Guwahati. Thereafter, I was selected for admission to Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun standing 3rd in India. I excelled at RIMC and passed out as the College Cadet Adjutant in 1985 and was awarded the Silver Medal for being the 2nd Best Cadet of the passing out course. I joined the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune in 1985 standing First in All India UPSC Merit List for entrance to NDA. Thereafter, I trained at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun and joined the Indian Army as an officer in June,1989. I have served the Nation as an Army Officer for over 33 years in active service on both the Pakistan and the Chinese borders and also in Counter Insurgency operations (Operation Rakshak) in Punjab and in Kashmir. I have participated in Operation Parakram as a member of Armoured (Tank) Formation post the Parliament attack in 2001. I commanded my unit in the Eastern Sector and have also served in a prestigious appointment of General Staff Branch of a frontline Army Formation in the far East. I have also been one of the longest serving members of India’s Mountain Strike Corps. In addition, I have been recognised for my services while on deputation as Director in the Border Roads Organization (BRO).
As far as training is concerned, I have trained at various reputed Army training institutions like College of Military Engineering, College of Combat, the Army War College, etc. and have excelled in various courses. I have achieved the distinction of standing First in the Senior Officers Course. Based on my performance, I have been selected to hold various important and prestigious appointments in the Indian Army. Additionally, I have been trained as a Psychologist by the Indian Army at the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), New Delhi. Thereafter, I have also served as a member (Psychologist) at the Services Selection Board (SSB) for selection of Officers for the Indian Army.
Jonathan: What according to you are the most important ingredients for securing success in the Services Selection Board?
Col Bhattacharya: The four most ingredients for success in the Services Selection Board is ‘Effective Intelligence’, ‘Social Adaptability’, ‘persistent Hard Work’ and ‘Perseverance’ (the ability to spring back after a setback). Besides these, the presence of a guide & mentor is of utmost importance.
Jonathan: How would you compare your success ratio with that of the Super-30 that was initiated by the Indian Army with the Government of Assam?
Col Bhattacharya: The Super-30 programme has just started and is in its nascent stage. I hope it succeeds because we want more officers from Assam in the Armed Forces. As far as my success rate is concerned, it has been extremely gratifying that as on date besides students from Assam, I have had students from as far as Tamil Nadu, Maharastra, Rajasthan, Delhi, J&K attending and benefitting. In fact, I have possibly the highest success rate all over India as I am limiting each batch to just 6 students so that I can give personalised attention. My students have obtained All India 10th position, have been selected for the first NDA Women’s batch etc. Incidentally, in the Service Entry Course, out of the candidates who joined the Indian Military Academy this year from all over India, almost 6% have undergone training/ guidance from me. In addition, I have been invited to deliver lecture/ conduct classes at NIT Allahabad and have also addressed/ guided students from RIMC, Dehradun….and all these in the last one year only. Just a couple of day’s back, Master Aristabh Saikia from Golaghat district, Assam whom I had coached and guided has cleared his Services Selection Board (SSB) for National Defence Academy (NDA) and is set on the path of achieving his aim of becoming a Fighter Pilot in the Indian Air Force.
Jonathan: Finally, who according to you are the real role models for the youth of the Northeast?
Col Bhattacharya: Assam is the land of valour, courage and sacrifice. Hence, there is no lack of role models starting from Lachit Barphukan, Chilarai and many others. One must remember, that the Mughal empire expanded everywhere at its zenith but was stopped and repulsed back from Assam. In the Kargil war, Capt Jintu Gogoi showed his bravery and was awarded the Vir Chakra. Further, I feel that the youth of Assam, instead of searching for role models, should endeavour to be role models themselves. It is with this purpose that I am actively pursuing my endeavour of acting as an enabler and facilitator for our youth especially from Assam and the Northeast to realise their complete potential by mentoring and training them through the ‘Dibya Shankar Foundation’.
