The Officers Training School, renamed as Officers Training Academy in 1988, is located amid a sprawling estate of 650 acres traversed by River Adyar adjoining the Chennai International and Domestic Airport , about 15 kms from the Chennai Central Railway Station along the Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road. In its vicinity is the imposing prominence of the historic Saint Thomas Mount and its Roman Catholic Church that consecrates the memory of Saint Thomas , one of Jesus Christ's 12 apostles, martyred on the Mount in 72 AD. It remains to this day a hallowed spot extremely popular with the tourists from all parts of the world. The cantonment dates back to the 18th Century when it was an important bastion of the Army of the Madras Presidency. Initially, the Mount was the scene of one of the fiercest battles of the Franco-British wars on 07 February 1759, subsequent to which the cantonment was established in the area in December 1774. However, most of the barracks were built during the period between 1815 to 1952.
OTS houses important heritage buildings amidst new aesthetically designed now come-up at the OTA. These buildings are the White House, the Officers Mess and the Flag Staff House. Each one of these buildings is an architectural wonder and has a history behind it.
The Govt. was planning to close the OTS after the Emergency Commissioned (EC) Courses of the 60s and SSNT 1 that was conducted in 1965 which passed out on 23 April 1966, but then decided to continue with the SSNT Courses. We joined the OTS for training on 20 Jun 1966, and did not have seniors. We passed out on 23 Apr 1967.
Interestingly, SS 1 Course did not get technical vacancies despite the fact that a large number of cadets were well qualified technically. It is from SSNT 2 Course onwards that technical vacancies were assigned to SSNT Courses. Army HQ then permitted SSNT1 officers to change to technical arms after almost one year in various arms & services.
SSNT-2 Officers decided to choose different career paths after 5 years of the compulsory service. All excelled in their chosen fields.
This Blog aims to share professional and personal achievements of SSNT-2 Course in their 'Journey of Life' and bind them 'emotionally' . Moderator would edit Postings submitted by the author(s) without diluting contents of the Posts for these to remain 'serene'.
For more details on OTA please Click: http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/arotahistory.htm
Your Posts including scanned photographs be sent on e-Mail ssnt.2.67@gmail.com
Yes, our Comdt was Brig. Prithpal Singh of the HH. Our Chief Guest for passing out parade was Lt Gen Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, MC, ("Sam Bahadur"), now a Field Marshal of the Indian Army. We passed out in "KHAKHI SHORTS", may be a unique privilege for any SSNT Course !
Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
Founder of the Blog, and Moderator
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