For a civilian, sleeping under a tent pitched near a flowing river on a cold night, with a camp fire nearby, is a distant dream. But for a gentleman cadet (GC) at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), it happens at least once a month in the form of various training camps. Camps conducted by IMA are perfect combination of exercise and enjoyment.

The life of a GC at the lMA begins with the exercise Pahla Kadam in which a GC is exposed to the art of simple living ie living without proper facilities in a jungle terrain. The art of constructing a tent within five minutes and properly securing it against all odds, is an exciting exercise. The way of eating tin food and using minimum water without compromising on personal hygiene are the few basic things learned by a GC in Pahla Kadam.

Finding ways through jungles, rugged terrain and nalas, to find the position of a sniper and planning to clear it is like being a part of a Hitchcock’s movie or any other adventure movie. The thrill can be enjoyed by every GC in the exercise Aage Barh.

A camp for which every GC eagerly awaits is Ckindit. It is the king of all camps in IMA. The knowledge gained in previous camps is put to test in this camp. It is physically demanding, it runbacks in scale’ A’ covering around 50 kms. The camp gives enough confidence to GC about their unlimited physical capability and mental toughness.