Brought out by the Shimla-based Army Training Command (ARTRAC), the book, A Quest for Excellence: Training the Indian Army, gives a vivid if somewhat dramatic overview of the training system that moulds the world's fourth largest Army into a professional fighting force.

In the foreword, Chief of Army Staff Gen V. P. Malik -- who had in 1998 asked the ARTRAC to produce a quality book on the subject -- states that the importance of training a professional army like ours needs to be widely publicised. A competent soldier on the battlefield, Gen Malik remarks, is the ultimate result of the training process. And the Army, therefore, lays a tremendous amount of emphasis on all facets of training.

The 204-page book reflects in full colour the ethos of the Indian Army towards training. It has a section devoted to each aspect -- from training on philosophy to sports and adventure training, from cadet training to the challenges of the 21st century.

Profusely illustrated, the book details the role and charter of different training institutions of the Army. It also outlines the training syllabus at various levels -- from basic soldiering to specialist skills required in the profession of arms.

To the common citizen, the book gives a perceptive insight into the little known but indispensable seminaries of professionalism -- The College of Combat, College of Military Engineering, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, High Altitude Warfare School, Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Institute of National Integration, College of Defence Management, as well as regimental centres and schools.

Of particular interest are the chapters on simulator training, computerised wargaming and the changes envisioned in the Army's training philosophy for the new millennium.

In the preface, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, the GOC-in-C, ARTRAC, observes that at the threshold of the new millennium, military training challenges have grown in size and complexity. The shape of threats is also changing. Their content and the way in which they will emerge is shaping the importance of training as never before.

In the rapidly changing security scenario, he adds, training officers and men is a sound investment for the challenges of tomorrow, where there may be no time buffer before taking to the field.