By Atanu Das : Sr. Journalist, Ex-PTI
New Delhi/ Dehradun The iconic Chetwode Building of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. This building, which was opened in 1930, originally belonged to the Railway Staff College. The Railway Staff College had to be closed down due to a financial crisis which was triggered by The Great Depression. In 1932, the Military Department acquired the entire railway campus for Rs 21,17,597, for the purpose of imparting military training to cadets on the lines of the Sandhurst Military Academy in England. By December 1933, the Academy had five hockey, one football and one cricket field. In addition, an Officers’ Mess, Cadets’ Mess, a Library, etc. So to say, the campus grew by adapting and extending the pre-existing railway campus to military training needs. And this is what makes the story of IMA Dehradun so special and unique.
During the railway staff college days, the Chetwode Building was called the Dormer Hall and was used for the purpose of demonstrating the movement and control of incoming and outgoing trains at a Railway Station. Tiny trains were electrically operated on miniature railway lines, with trainees watching the operations from galleries high above. In 1932, the building was re-named Chetwode Building after Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode, who was a key figure in setting up the academy. The Chetwode Building is known for its distinctive architecture which is an inspiring, eclectic structure, featuring a black roof, red facade, white pillars and a stately clock tower. The building proudly displays the Chetwodian Credo which is a guideline for military cadets, and it states “The safety, honour, and welfare of your country come first.The honour, welfare, and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort, and safety come last, always and every time”.
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