Marching into history: NDA's first women cadets graduate
Marching into history: NDA's first women cadets graduate
PUNE: The first batch of 17 women National Defence Academy (NDA) cadets passed out Friday, scripting a new chapter in the annals of the Indian Armed Forces.
Unlike previous parades during their three years at the academy, when they had a separate contingent, the 17 marched with male cadets at the Pune academy's Arun Khetarpal Parade Grounds, indistinguishable from their military crew haircut and confident stride.
The passing-out parade (PoP) marked a culmination of the hard work, determination, motivation and high standards of physical fitness. The women, part of a total of 336 cadets who passed out, celebrated later with a "push-up" competition.
Former Army chief and Mizoram governor V K Singh, who reviewed the parade, described it as a unique moment in NDA's history. "These young women are the inimitable symbol of nari shakti, embodying not just women's development but women-led development.
I envision a future not far from now when one of these women rises to the highest echelon of the service they go to. The moment shows the uniqueness of the NDA as we could not distinguish male and female cadets during the parade," said Singh, who passed out of NDA in 1969.
Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi, who commanded the parade, echoed the views. "The women cadets performed well. They outshone male cadets in many aspects," Negi said.
The hours-long rehearsals for the parade in scorching heat and rain culminated with impressive results, said Ishita Singh, one of the women cadets. "PoP is one of the most important events in military life. I always wanted to celebrate this occasion in front of my parents and dear ones. Today, I could fulfil my wish," Ishita told TOI.
According to NDA commandant Gurcharan Singh, when girls first came to the academy, they were staying separately.
"Today, they are integrated completely with squadrons and battalions. They are running, playing and training together. Every activity is gender-neutral," Gurcharan said.
The parents could not be more delighted. "My daughter is not only mine now. She is the daughter of the nation. She is our only daughter. When she decided to join NDA, we supported her. She was inspired by her grandfather, who had served in the Army," said Ashok Mehalan, father of cadet Sheetal Mehalan and businessman from Rohtak in Haryana.
According to C Sangwan, father of cadet Ishita, his daughter has given him "a new identity". "When we got to know about entry for women in NDA, we asked her to submit her form 20 days before the exam. She cleared it. Today, she proved her mettle and made us very proud," said Sangwan, who hails from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan.
Ajit Duhan, father of Ritul Duhan, the first Battalion Cadet Captain of the women's batch, fell "short of words to praise her achievement". "Her personality has changed completely - a total transformation," Ajit said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
The barefoot Naga in Kargil's bloodiest night
Chandigarh: It was the bloodiest night of the Kargil War . As dawn broke on June 29, 1999, a beleaguered Commanding Officer of the 2 Rajputana Rifles (2 Raj Rif), Col M B Ravindranath, Vir Chakra, was taking stock of the blood that had seeped into the forbidding, lifeless alpine rocks. Three of his officers and 10 other ranks had made the supreme sacrifice, 51 were wounded, including 36 critically. None more heroic of those against-all-odds actions than that of the Naga officer, Capt N Kenguruse. As the attack stalled that night, Kenguruse had barefoot launched a suicidal assault up the vertical cliff face of Lone Hill on the Drass LoC. The slippery slopes of Lone Hill had not afforded traction to his Army-regulation snow boots, so he just dumped them. But the odds were so stacked against the daredevil action that Kenguruse never got to the top. All that the Pakistani soldiers of the 6 Northern Light Infantry (SIKKIS) had to do was to push boulders off the top and onto Kenguruse and Hav. Sharman Singh, both of whom were clinging to a precipice under angled fire from the top. They plunged off the cliff, 200 feet to their deaths. Kenguruse, forever frozen in immortality at age 25, was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) while Singh the Sena Medal (Gallantry). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like local network access control Esseps Learn More Undo Kenguruse's fatal initiative epitomised the raw courage displayed by the Indian Infantry in the unique alpine battles of Kargil where it attacked the waiting enemy in frontal assaults and up heights ranging in excess of 19,000 feet. These were heights, terrain and such tempestuous weather, that other nations would dare send only mountaineering expeditions. But here Indian soldiers fought with blood, guts and 'jugaad' resulting in 545 deaths. The Indian soldiers had etched with their blood a saga unparalleled in the annals of super-high altitude warfare. That fateful night, Kenguruse, the indomitable Naga from Nerhema village, Kohima, was leading the battalion's Ghatak platoon (commandos) tasked by the CO to act as a protective patrol to Delta Company's infiltrating column under the command of Maj. Mohit Saxena, Vir Chakra. D Company''s assault got held up due to the steep and forbidding approach up a vertical cliff face of Lone Hill. Kenguruse seized the initiative, took off his boots, socks and clambered up the cliff. His daring assault picked a route to the enemy's position from a flank but up a vertical mountain wall. On top of Lone Hill was the enemy in section strength, entrenched in bunkers fashioned from boulders (sangers), and supported by a universal machine gun (UMG). As Kenguruse climbed to the top, he took a hit. "As the commando team scaled the cliff face, it came under intense fire, which caused heavy casualties. The officer sustained a splinter injury in his abdomen. Bleeding profusely yet undeterred, he urged his men to carry on with the displayed conspicuous gallantry, indomitable resolve, grit and determination beyond the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, in true traditions of the Indian Army," said the official citation for Kenguruse's MVC. A detailed account of Kenguruse's last moments supported by photographs of Lone Hill has been penned by the late Ravindranath in his memoir, 'Kargil War: The Turning Point'. The memoir is supported by first-hand accounts from (later Brigadier) Saxena, the D Company commander under whose command during the night of June 28-29, 1999, were placed Kenguruse's Ghataks. "Kenguruse's daredevil assault: Failing to find a way to Lone Hill, Kenguruse led his troops through a rock face, climbing it with bare feet and hands, and had gained a route to the top, and together, they had fought their way to the top. It was then that the enemy in desperation had pushed the stones down on this team. The rolling stones had swept this team down the precipice at the edge of which Kenguruse's team had gathered to launch a final push to the top. It was a merciless tumble for the team, resulting in the death of Kenguruse and Sharman, whose hands still held the grenade he had intended to throw," wrote Ravindranath. As Kenguruse and Singh plunged off the cliff, Delta Company's reserve platoon under Sub. Sayar Singh was still 500 metres behind. The first light of dawn June 29, 1999, was just an hour away and threatening to rob the assaulting Indian troops of the cover of darkness. It was a critical situation, as assessed by the CO, who had staged well forward into the battle. "Overall, in my assessment, Delta Company had expended itself, and despite the heroic efforts, we had yet to capture Lone Hill or succeed in capturing a tactical foothold," wrote Ravindranath. Ultimately, with the Bofors fire coming in and the 18 Garhwal Rifles launching simultaneous flanking assaults on Point 4700, the enemy panicked and vacated its battlements on Lone Hill, Three Pimples and Knoll, which were the three main objectives of 2 Raj Rif that night. Victory had come, but laced heavily with the taste of salty blood in the mouth.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Lt Gen DS Rana takes over as 23rd Colonel of Garhwal Rifles Regiment
Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, Lieutenant General DS Rana has taken over as the colonel of the Regiment of Garhwal Rifles, officials said on Saturday. The ceremonial handing over of the baton took place at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand, amid full military honours, the defence ministry said. Lt Gen. Rana succeeds Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani, as he assumes the mantle of the 23rd colonel of the regiment, it said. The ceremony celebrated the proud lineage, valour and time-honoured legacy of one of the Indian Army's most-distinguished infantry regiments, comprising 27 battalions, including a scouts battalion, the ministry said in a statement. During his tenure, Lt Gen. Subramani provided exemplary leadership and strengthened the regimental bond, upholding the highest standards of professionalism and camaraderie that define the Garhwal Rifles, it added. "Lt Gen. Rana, an accomplished leader and decorated officer, brings a wealth of operational experience and strategic acumen," the statement said. As he assumed the mantle of the 23rd colonel of the regiment, Lt Gen. Rana reaffirmed his commitment to furthering the ethos, discipline and "martial legacy of the Veer Garhwali warriors who have always stood steadfast in service of the nation". As part of the proceedings, Lt Gen. Rana received a guard of honour and later, paid homage at the War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts of the regiment.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Beyond the Badge: Father-son duo from Hapur share constable recruitment journey in podcast
The 16th episode of the Uttar Pradesh Police's podcast, 'Beyond the Badge', features father-son duo Yashpal Singh Nagar and Shekhar Nagar from Hapur district, who were selected in the U.P. Police Constable Recruitment Examination-2023 for 60,244 positions. Yashpal Singh Nagar (R) with his son Shekhar Nagar. (HT File) During the discussion, Yashpal shared that when he found out that both he and his son had cleared the exam, tears welled up in his eyes. He was happier about his son's success because he had already worked and his son had a bright future ahead of him, according to a press statement issued by the U.P Police. Shekhar said that growing up in a cantonment area with his father in the army sparked his passion for wearing uniforms. After failing to clear National Defence Academy (NDA) and other exams, he finally succeeded in the Uttar Pradesh Police Constable Recruitment Examination-2023, fulfilling his dream of wearing a uniform. Both father and son expressed gratitude to the CM and the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board for conducting a fair and transparent recruitment process for 60,244 positions. Shekhar shared that he wasn't initially serious about his preparation, but his father's dedication inspired him to work hard. They would study together in the library, and Yashpal would ask Shekhar about his progress. Shekhar's maths, English, and reasoning skills were strong, while his father's general knowledge was impressive. They would share notes and help each other, which contributed to their success, the statement said. The father-son duo advised young aspirants who didn't clear the exam to continue their efforts, believe in themselves, and prepare again with confidence. The podcast also features their discussion on the support of family members, physical preparation, reactions of villagers, and future plans after training. The U.P. Police launched the podcast in January earlier this year in compliance with chief minister Yogi Adityanath's directive to promote their achievements and notable work through videos.
