What Hobbies to Develop for SSB?

We Indians are great at faking. Hence faking hobbies comes very naturally to us. Let me narrate few interesting observations. I live in Meerut & socially interact with a few officers in the Gym. The General was fond of running, hence most officers were preparing to run half-marathons/ marathons. Now the General is getting posted out & the new incumbent is supposed to be fond of cycling. Naturally officers were consulting me about buying good cycles.

Golf-Hobby of Senior Officers

I worked in a Golf Course for 2 years & made friends with a retired General who used to come to play Golf sometimes. This guy had been playing Golf for 10 years. He did not know as to which club to use for a particular distance, something which is the basic ingredient of playing Golf!

The above are examples of faking hobbies. The genuine common hobby of the officers discussed was taking a good ACR from the General. Running, cycling, Golf were just routes to that objective.

Over 90% of students today are pressurised by marks obsession, either self-created or by the parents. Their forced hobby is attending extra-tuition classes! We select potential officers from among them only.

Advice

Don’t develop any fake hobby. Tell the truth & leave the hobbies column as blank. Since most of you are not used to exercising & fitness is an important selection criteria, make efforts to run & build strength as preparation for SSB, but don’t state these activities as hobbies unless you have been indulging in them for over 2 years or so.