Girl tops NDA arts stream for first time, meritorious cadets carry forward military legacy
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Pune: A girl Army cadet — Shriti Daksh — topped the arts stream for the first time, making the 148th course convocation of the National Defence Academy a historic event.
"Striking a balance between military training and academics was a tough challenge for me, but I managed to maintain that balance from the first term to the last.
This dedication helped me excel academically," she told TOI.
Shriti was a bright student in academics, securing 95% and 98% in Std X and XII board exams before joining the academy. What stands out about her achievement is that she opted for the squadron (Hunter) of her father, Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh (retd).
Currently a helicopter pilot with a private airline, he said with tears in his eyes, "When she told me that she would join my squadron, I felt very proud.
But at the same time, I reminded her of the rich history and tradition of our squadron, where physical training is done rigorously. But she overcame all the challenges and earned more laurels than I did. What more can I ask from her? She is passing out with flying colours.
Extremely proud of her."
Remembering her preparations before joining the NDA, Shriti's father said, "I took her to a garden in Noida and told her to run a few rounds.
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But her physical fitness was not up to par. Within a few weeks, she improved her fitness."
Academy Cadet Captain and Navy cadet Udayveer Singh Negi topped the BTech course. He is the son of a serving Colonel in the Indian Army and the fourth-generation officer of his family in the Indian Army.
"I am proud to carry forward my family's proud military legacy. My grandfather and father commanded the infantry battalion 3/3 Gorkha Rifles (GR).
The military has been the way of life for me. Initially, when I joined the academy, I was a bit sceptical about completing three years of training because of my extreme attachment to my family. But later on, I overcame those thoughts and made them an inspiration. Whenever I thought that I could not do it, I remembered the rich legacy of my family and that motivated me to go forward," he said, adding that commanding the parade of over 1,300 cadets on Friday would be one of the proudest moments of his life.
Proud father Colonel Aditya Negi, Shurya Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, said, "I do not think any better day than this parents would ask for. My son will not only pass out from the academy but will also command the parade on May 30. It will be a momentous day for us and him also."
Army cadet Prince Kumar Singh Kushwah topped the BSc (computer science) programme. The son of a retired Army subedar said, "I cleared the JEE, NEET and NDA entrance exams in the same year, but my focus was always on the NDA.
It was my first and last choice, and today I stand here with pride."
His father, Naib Subedar (retd) Lalchand Kushwah said, "My son and my daughter, who is in the first year of Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, both have made me proud. Prince has been a bright and exceptional student since childhood. Today, he made us proud through his achievement."
Air cadet Lucky Kumar, the top student in the BSc stream and the son of a farmer, said, "One of my cousins, an alumnus of the NDA, used to speak highly about the institution. That is how I was motivated to join the academy. I learnt several new things, including sports. Before joining the academy, I had never played hockey. In the last term, I was the captain of the team. That is the beauty of the academy. It has always been my dream to fly aircraft, and I will join the Air Force.
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