Army recruitment rally begins

CUDDALORE: A seven-day Army recruitment rally began at the Anna Stadium here on Tuesday.

As many as 1,700 candidates from seven districts such as Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Thiruvannamalai, Cuddalore and Villupuram and the Union Territory of Puducherry participated on the first day.

They lined up from early morning in barricaded enclosures at the adjoining Manjakuppam grounds. Their height was measured and those who fell short of the requirement were sent back.

Their documents were scrutinised and they were assembled district-wise at the stadium. Later, they were called for physical fitness . A seal was affixed on the forearm of the candidates selected for the next stage.

Collector P. Seetharaman, who was overseeing the arrangements for the rally, told reporters that the recruitment was for five categories of postings at the soldier-level such as nursing assistant, technical cadre, general duty, tradesman, and clerk or storekeeper.

However, the number of vacancies was not revealed but all the selected candidates would be kept in reserve.

Mr. Seetharaman said that there was a candidate from Ginjee who was making his 12th appearance in the recruitment rally and on earlier occasions he was found ineligible because of vision problem. The candidates were turned down on health grounds of two types: temporary (such as bad teeth, vision problem and hearing impairment) and permanent problems. He noted that there was an inbuilt system in the recruitment procedures that those with temporary health problems could report within 21 days after getting treatment.