Mysuru: Cholanda Varun Ganapathy, originally from Kalmotte in Virajpet and an alumnus of Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysuru, has secured AIR 14 (All India Ranking) in the recently announced merit list to secure admission to Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, for Course Serial SSC (NT) – 110. 

His training will commence in October 2019 and on successful completion of training, he will get commissioned as a Lieutenant in September 2020. OTA Chennai trains officers for Short Service Commission (SSC). The 49-week course at the OTA prepares graduates for all branches of the Army, except for the Army Medical Corps. The OTA Chennai was established in 1963. 

Varun, an alumnus of Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Bengaluru (up to Class VII, 2008), Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysuru (PUC, 2014) and Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru (BE in Mechanical Engineering), had always focused on joining the Armed Forces. 

To fulfil this ambition he appeared in National Defence Academy (NDA), Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and Combined Defence Services (CDS) examinations at various stages clearing these exams seven times. He appeared in various Services Selection Boards (SSBs), clearing it thrice. While he has secured admission to OTA Chennai for Course Serial SSC (NT) – 110, he is awaiting merit list for Air Force Jan. 2020 entry having cleared AFCAT and SSB (after which he can decide between joining Air Force or Army)

He relentlessly pursued his dream to join Armed Forces and went about his preparation in a very methodical manner. He kept himself updated about various entrance exams and different syllabus for each exam. His preparation included personality development and physical fitness. 

Varun also attended classes at Bangalore School for Civil Services under Dr. Arjun Bopanna for UPSC and KPSC exams.

Varun is the son of Cholanda Poovaiah (Dy.SP, State Crime Record Bureau) and Dharani (Thamane Manavattira, Nelaji).

Varun’s Grandfather Manavattira Ponnappa was an Honorary Captain in the Indian Army and his uncle Manavattira Vinod Ponnappa is a Wing Commander in the IAF.