Badal announces Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for girls

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal will inaugurate 'Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute' to impart specialized training to female aspirants for joining the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA).

Set up on the lines of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for boys, Badal will inaugurate this institute established in Mohali on July 12.

The chief minister asked the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO) and the Directorate of Sainik Welfare to elicit the participation of ex-Servicemen and the retired defence personnel in this mega event.

Badal said, "It is a momentous occasion for all of us to have this premium institute to train our girls to join defence services as their promising career".

He said all the serving Chiefs of the Armed Forces would be extended invitation well in advance to enable them to participate in this function.

Exuding confidence that he has taken this "path breaking" decision to establish this prestigious institute after the success of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute at Mohali for boys, Badal said these institutes were his dream projects to restore the glory of gallantry services rendered by Punjabis in the armed forces, which had gradually "faded away" with the passage of time.

Within three years of its inception 51 students, including 22 in the current session, from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute have been selected in the Armed forces of the country after undergoing training from this illustrious institute.

Director Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute General I P Singh apprised the Chief Minister that first of its kind upcoming Mai Bhago Institute will provide a golden opportunity for girls from Punjab to choose an elite career as a Commissioned Officer in the Defence Services.

This Academy campus is housed in a sprawling eight acres in Mohali which was fully residential and has all the modern facilities including multi-gym, swimming, shooting, sports fields, etc.

He said that in the first batch, 25 students out of total 1,600 have been selected for this institute through entranc exam.

The curriculum includes three years graduation (BSc/BA/BCom) in MCM DAV College Sector 36, Chandigarh; sports and physical fitness, personality development, communication skills, grooming, extra curricular activities, NCC,Professional Training and preparation for SSB Interview.