Kakinada, Nov 8th: The minister of state for defence, Mr. M.M Pallam Raju, stressed the need for more youth joining the Indian Army which was playing a crucial role in guarding the country. Addressing the participants at the end of the open Army recruitment rally at the District Sports Authority stadium here on Sunday, Mr Pallam Raju said that the active participation of youth was needed in eliminating anti-social elements in the country. Being physically fit, having some knowledge about the country despite not being academically qualified was enough to get easily into the Army, he opined.

Later, speaking to the reporters on the occasion the minister said that annually around 50,000 personnel of all categories in the Indian Army were being retired from service. For filling up the vacant posts, the Army organizes the recruitment rallies all over the country, targeting youth. The Army additional director general, Mr M.S Kashid, said that the rally began on November 2, wherein nearly 32,500 candidates from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Khammam districts and Yanam participated.