Ladakhi farmer's rifleman son commissioned as officer
Dehradun: Tsering Nurdup, son of a farmer from Ladakh and a former rifleman in the Ladakh Scouts, was commissioned as a lieutenant — realising a lifelong dream and bringing pride not just to his family, but to an entire region.
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Dressed in traditional Ladakhi attire, the Nurdup family stood out on the grounds of the Indian Military Academy's iconic Chetwode Drill Square on Saturday. As Lt Nurdup stood tall in his crisp ceremonial uniform, his mother clutched his hand — her eyes welling up with tears of pride and joy. For them, it was not just a passing out parade. It was history in the making.
Born into a modest home with a father who tills the tough terrains of Ladakh, a homemaker mother and a sister serving as a clerk in the Sashastra Seema Bal, Nurdup's journey is a story of grit and unshaken resolve.
His dream — sparked by the olive green uniforms around him — never flickered, even as he began his career as a rifleman.
"Becoming a Class I officer in this prestigious institution was always my dream," he said, moments after the stars were pinned to his uniform, his voice steady but full of emotion. "For us Ladakhis, the Army isn't just a job — it's part of our identity. Whether it's the Indo-Pak wars or standoffs with China, we've always stood at the frontlines... And what matters more is our spirit — our willingness to serve, no matter the challenge.
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Even as Nurdup's father looked on in awe, his sister said with a smile, "My parents can't understand much of what's being said here. But they understand this — their son is living his dream."
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