Life at the Officers Training Academy is known for its demanding curriculum that transforms OTA cadets into commissioned officers. Hence, the weekend brings a wave of joy after the constant ragda, drills, and academic lectures for them. But, candidates often wonder what the OTA Sunday routine is like. Today, we answer this for you.
Are Sundays at OTA a Holiday?
After a grueling week, Sundays brings joy to all OTA cadets. It is comparatively more relaxed than the weekdays for them. While military discipline and cadet responsibilities continue, the intensity of training and regular classes is low.
Sometimes, cadets also get liberty on Sundays. This is the day when all cadets who have passed their relevant tests get to go out of the academy. Hence, the OTA Sunday routine is relaxed but not the way it is in civilian life.
Typical OTA Sunday Routine of Cadets
Each officer cadet has their own way of spending their Sunday at OTA. A lot of times, second-termers utilize this day for a quick fall-in or a little ragda of the first-termers. However, these help instill the military discipline and values in cadets and should not be considered negative. A typical OTA Sunday routine of cadets looks something like the following:
Room maintenance by OTA cadets
The first thing that an OTA cadet does on Sundays is room cleaning and maintenance. Academy life often involves room inspections on weekends and keeping it officer-like is the responsibility of a cadet. They ensure that their belongings are stacked neatly, and nothing is lying astray.
At the same time, OTA cadets also prepare their uniforms for the next day. They prepare rigs for each other, polish their shoes, and keep everything ready to avoid any last minute delays. Life in the military is about camaraderie and cadets live by this idea by helping each other out.
Religious activities
Depending on their personal faith, many cadets also visit the Sarva Dharma Sthal at OTA. This is a religious place that houses deities of all religions and promotes harmony among all OTA cadets. They spend some time at the place, offer their prayers, and thank the Almighty as they look forward to the next week.
Connecting with family
In the training academy, cadets get limited time to connect to their families and loved ones. They do not have access to phones and spend most of the day working. However, the OTA Sunday routine lets them talk to those who matter.
OTA cadets get their smartphones, or keypad phones to talk to their parents and friends outside the academy. If neither is given, they can access the phone booth in the the academy at nominal prices and share about their entire week with them.
Visiting the canteen or cafeteria
A lot of times, OTA cadets use Sundays to party or fill their stock of snacks and toiletries. For this, they reach the on-campus canteen and use their card to make personal purchases. A former cadet also recalls how he, along with his buddies, prepared Maggi in an electric kettle and savoured it together. These memories make the OTA Sunday routine memorable for them.
Personal time
Lastly, cadets utilize Sunday routine at OTA for their personal activities. Some of them update their lecture notes, or revise the same if there is an upcoming test. Others invest in their hobbies such as painting, reading, or physical fitness.
Since the life at OTA is physically demanding, most candidates rest and recover physically on Sundays. They take a quick nap and relieve the stress of academy life to get prepared for the upcoming week.
The OTA Sunday routine isn’t an escape from military life, but a preparation for it. It brings more personal time for cadets, which they utilize wisely to be better prepared for the upcoming days. They perfect everything from their rigs to their notes reflecting that discipline in the military continues even off-duty.
OTA Sunday Routine: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is Sunday a holiday at OTA?
A. The OTA Sunday routine is not a holiday but it is more relaxed than other days of the week. Cadets use this time to maintain their cabins, connect with their families and update their class notes.
Q. Can OTA cadets leave the academy on Sunday?
A. Generally, this is not permitted. However, on some Sundays, cadets receive liberty and they move out of the training academy in their mufti dress. Still, they remain together, and are expected to return by the given time.
Q. Can cadets meet their families on Sundays?
A. Yes, cadets at OTA can meet their families on Sundays. But, they must inform about their arrival to the concerned authorities and only meet within the stipulated time.
