Margao: They do not fire guns or storm bunkers. They rarely grab headlines. But without them, advanced weapons cannot find targets, soldiers are cut off from command, and wars are lost in the seconds when communications fail.Meet India’s most indispensable soldiers: the ones who ensure every critical message reaches its destination — encrypted, instant, and unbreakable. For 116 years, the Corps of Signals was the technological backbone of the Indian Army.As the Corps of Signals marks another raising day, the training facility in Goa, headquartered in Panaji, continues its crucial mission. Welcome to the 2 Signal Training Centre (STC), Goa, where young recruits are being moulded into India’s information warriors.“Teevra Chaukas” reads the words inscribed on the image of “Jimmy” (Greek God of communications) that stands prominently inside the 3 MTR complex at Ravanfond, Margao.“That’s the motto of the Corps of Signals – roughly translated into ‘swift and secure’,” a military officer points out during a recent interaction. “These are the traits of the corps which every cadet aspires to imbibe.”Tasked with shaping Agniveers joining the Corps of Signals, as well as serving junior commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers, 2 STC prepares soldiers who are not only combat-ready but also technologically agile — capable of operating across cyber defence, electronic warfare, satellite communications, and tactical networks.2 STC also positioned itself as a rapid response unit for natural disasters in Goa. The centre remains prepared to respond swiftly to natural calamities by providing manpower, organised relief teams, and ground-level support for rescue and relief tasks in flood-affected areas.“We are not just training soldiers any more; we are creating technologically agile warriors,” explains a senior officer at the centre, pointing to the centre’s motto, “Prashikshan Parivartan Parakram” (Training, Transformation, Valour).The training philosophy is hands-on and future-focused. Simulation-based learning forms the foundation, supplemented by rigorous field exercises and exposure to emerging technologies. The goal is clear: ensure that every soldier passing through these gates can operate confidently in the technology-driven operational environments that define modern warfare.As a senior instructor succinctly put it, “We keep India’s Army connected, coordinated, and combat-ready. Teevra Chaukas – swift and secure. That was our promise for 116 years. And will always be.”
