"They carry not just dreams but a nation's resolve,' Gautam Adani congratulates NDA women cadets
Industrialist Gautam Adcongratulated the first batch of women cadets at the
National Defence Academy
, calling their induction a historic step forward that reflects the nation's firm resolve and timeless values.
In his X post, he wrote, "Proof. Precedent. Possibility. Congratulations to all the first women NDA cadets as they start their march forward. They carry not just dreams but a nation's resolve. The path is new. The message is timeless. Jai Hind."
On Friday, the National Defence Academy (NDA) witnessed a momentous occasion as the first-ever batch of 17 women cadets was among the 336 cadets who graduated from the academy, marking the culmination of the 148th Course - Spring Term 2025, as per a release from the
Ministry of Defence
.
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According to the release, a total of 1,341 Cadets, including 336 from the passing out course, participated in the
Passing Out Parade
(POP) at the iconic Khetarpal Parade Ground in Maharashtra's
Khadakwasla
. Gracing the occasion as the Reviewing Officer was the Governor of Mizoram, General (Dr) VK Singh (Retd).
The parade marked the successful completion of rigorous military and academic training by the cadets, culminating in a splendid display of precision, discipline and military bearing. It was impeccably conducted by Adjutant Lt Col Praveen Kumar Tiwari, astride his charger 'Reliant Robin'. Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi of 'G' Squadron commanded the parade with exceptional composure and military precision.
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In recognition of the exemplary performance, the Reviewing Officer presented the President's Gold Medal to Battalion Cadet Adjutant Prince Raj, the President's Silver Medal to Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi, and the President's Bronze Medal to Battalion Cadet Captain Tejas Bhatt. The prestigious Chiefs of Staff Banner was awarded to the Golf Squadron for overall excellence.
The event concluded with a grand flypast featuring flag-trooping Chetak helicopters, Super Dimona motorised gliders, and the majestic Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft. This symbolised the culmination of training and the cadets' readiness to embark on the next phase of their military journey.
The event was attended by a diverse group that included proud families, distinguished dignitaries, school children, civilians, and serving and retired Armed Forces personnel.
The Spring Term 2025 POP stands as a proud testament to the Academy's enduring commitment to grooming future military leaders, now enriched with the inclusion of women cadets destined to serve the nation with honour and valour. The release added that the event held historical significance as it marked the passing out of the first-ever batch of 17 Female Cadets from the Academy -- a transformative milestone in NDA's legacy of nation-building.
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Time of India
8 hours ago
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The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
17 women, look up to the sky
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Army cadets will go to Dehradun's Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force cadets will be trained at the Air Force Academy (AFA) at Dundigal, and naval cadets at Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala, Kerala. Game of endurance Physical training is one of the major elements of the NDA's three-year course and is often considered its toughest component. Daily training includes obstacle courses, route marches, swimming, horse riding, rope climbing, sprinting, field tactics, weapon handling, and more. During the petition hearing in the Supreme Court, the Centre had opposed the enrolment of women over biological differences. Now, the NDA spokespeople say all training was the same, but physical standards were adjusted to address biological differences. The women say it was a matter of mental strength and endurance. Ishita remembers her toughest moments: 'We had to climb a hill bearing weight as a part of Camp Rovers. Everyone was exhausted because it extends for five days. We hadn't slept properly for three or four nights and I felt like giving up. But my coursemate Srishti Singh started singing, and we kept climbing. The next thing we knew the hill was conquered.' One of the toughest challenges was the 40 km Josh Camp, conducted at the end of the sixth term, say the women. All 18 squadrons competed with each other and performed various tasks, including map reading and running day and night. Ishita's squadron, which included male counterparts, started at 9:30 p.m. and finished at 11:30 the next morning. NDA Commandant Vice-Admiral Gurcharan Singh called the inclusion of women a 'progressive process'. Initially, the female cadets' living arrangements were separate as that is the way it is done at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, which has been open to women since 1992, with Short-Service Commission. This was changed in the NDA to build camaraderie among members of a squadron. 'We ensured they played, lived, trained, together, to achieve gender neutrality,' says Gurcharan, adding that barriers need to come down from the start, so there is no difference in times of conflict or battle. Mothers and others On May 30, Geeta Dhaka, 45, watched with pride as her daughter Shanan Dhaka, 21, participated in the passing out parade. The women and men are dressed alike, their hair cropped short, and from a distance, there is no difference. Shanan's sister is currently training at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). 'Today, I feel really proud as my daughter has endured the toughest defence course. Since childhood, my children had wanted to join the defence, like my husband. This shift from a fauji wife to a fauji maa is emotional and painful too,' she says, understanding that in case of a war-like situation, her husband and daughter may both be called up. The Dhaka family is from Chandigarh, but currently resides in Rohtak. Division Cadet Captain (DCC) Shriti Daksh, who was put into a leadership position, follows in her father's footsteps. Wing Commander Yogesh Daksh (retd.) is proud: 'Shriti scored 97% in Class 10 and 99% in Class 12. She has always been good academically, and seeing her top the arts course makes me a happy father.' Her mother was worried about the intense physical training, but says, 'It goes to show that if you put your mind to something, it will pay off.' Their other daughter is serving in the Air Force as a Flying Officer, and the family hails from Haryana, but is currently based in Noida. Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi of the 'G' Squadron, who commanded this Spring term parade (two batches pass out each year from NDA), waited as Shriti celebrated with others informally in the parking area, between cars. Amid the loud cheers of betiya date hi rahe, betiya jeet gayi (Daughter keep going, daughter won), Udayveer says, 'Most of the time we forget that they are women. We trained with each other, shoulder to shoulder. In a few tasks like map reading and field tactics, they outdid us. We felt equal, and gender was never a restriction.' The cadets' parents would visit their children at the end of each term of six months, meeting each other too. After the parade, mothers hugged each other and clicked selfies. Srishti's mother, Priyanka, says, 'Our children have become friends, but we parents also share bonds. We became each other's support systems through the course.' Cadet Harsimran Kaur from Punjab points out: 'Our bond has grown beyond that during these three years. These friendships are for life.' Edited by Sunalini Mathew
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- The Hindu
Daring 17: The first women who crossed NDA portals
The National Defence Academy (NDA) has marked a watershed moment in India's military history with the graduation of its first batch of women cadets. In a two-day event at the prestigious Khadakwasla-based academy that concluded with the convocation ceremony on Friday, 339 cadets of the 148th course of NDA, including 17 pioneering women, were awarded degrees in a convocation ceremony that signified a new era of inclusivity and gender equality in the Indian armed forces. This milestone comes after a landmark 2021 Supreme Court ruling opened the NDA's gates to women for the first time since its inception in 1954. Over the course of three years, the cadets underwent intensive academic, physical, and military training, preparing them for future commissioning into the Army, Navy, or Air Force. A highlight of the convocation was cadet Shriti Daksh, who created history by becoming the first female cadet to receive the Silver Medal and Chief of Air Staff Trophy for securing the top rank in the BA stream. The moment was made even more special as cadets celebrated with their families on the scenic lawns outside the Sudan building, with an air display honouring their achievements. The second day featured the traditional antim pag or 'last step', as 1,341 cadets, including the graduating batch, marched past the Quarterdeck flag mast. The Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade was General V.K. Singh (retd.), Governor of Mizoram and former Chief of the Army Staff. Emotions ran high as proud family members embraced and congratulated the women cadets — many of whom have become trailblazers in their own right. In a powerful closing gesture, the women cadets performed 10 ceremonial push-ups in front of the Sudan building, a symbolic display of strength, resilience, and determination. This historic event marks not just a personal achievement for the cadets, but a significant stride for women in India's defence forces. Esprit de corps: NDA cadets share a light moment after the passing out parade marking the culmination of the 148th course training at the Khetrapal Parade Ground in Pune on Thursday (May 29, 2025). Top prize: Shriti Daksh marches towards the stage to receive the Commandant's Silver Medal and Chief of Air Staff trophy. Moment to cherish: A cadet with her mother after the convocation ceremony. Way forward: Army officials with female cadets during the convocation ceremony. Marching on: NDA cadets , both male and female, take part in the passing out parade on Thursday (May 29, 2025). Guest of honour: Former Army chief General V.K. Singh (retd.) in conversation with female cadets after the parade. Class dismissed: NDA cadets cheering with their professor after the parade. Proud kin: A cadet shares a happy moment with a family member. Final drill: Cadets perform ceremonial push-ups in front of the Sudan Building after their convocation.
