3 days ago
Parents of first batch of women cadets at NDA express pride for their daughters on momentous occasion
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Pune: As the first batch of women cadets took part in the passing out parade (PoP) of the National Defence Academy (NDA) on Friday morning — their spirited march a symbol of their exemplary performance during the course — the emotions of their parents ran high with pride at the historic moment.
Most of the parents were in tears and hugged their daughters — officers in the making — in front of the Sudan Block, citing their immense pride at their child's choice of career and achievements.
"My daughter is not only mine now. She is a daughter of the nation," said Ashok Mehalan, father of Army cadet Sheetal Mehalan. Sheetal hails from Sanchana town in Rohtak district of Haryana and has always excelled at academics. She was awarded as best student after securing 95% in Std X at Spring Board School, Sonipat, and garnered 96% in her Std XII board exams.
"She is our only daughter. When she decided to join the NDA, we supported her as it was her choice. She was inspired by her grandfather, who served in the Army," said Ashok, a trader by profession.
Sheetal's mother Mukeshkumar said it was tough to stay away from her daughter. "But gradually, we accepted her life, and today she is part of the historic occasion of the academy. I could not identify her when she marched on the parade ground.
This is the level of transformation. I am so proud of her," she added.
"My daughter has given me a new identity," said C Sangwan, father of cadet Ishita Sangwan. The principal of a private school in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, Sangwan said he had motivated Ishita to prepare for the NDA entrance exam as she studied for JEE at Kota. "When we got to know about entry for women in the NDA through the news, we asked her to submit her form 20 days before the exam.
She cleared the exam and prepared for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview by watching videos.
Today, she proved her mettle and determination and made us very proud," he added.
Most of the parents said they supported their daughters' decision to join NDA, despite excellence in studies and other available career options. They proudly took selfies with them to celebrate the occasion.
Ajit Duhan, father of Ritul Duhan, the first Battalion Cadet Captain of the women's batch, said, "I fall short of words to praise her achievement today.
Her personality has changed completely — a total transformation. Leading her battalion on the parade ground was a very special moment." Her mother, Seva, a homemaker, said, "What more can I ask from her? I am seeing a very strong, confident, and determined beti today.
This is a change in her personality that I would not ever have imagined."
The parents of the cadets dubbed the event as surreal. Witnessing their daughters on the parade ground was a special moment, said Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh (retd), the father of cadet Shriti Daksh, adding, "I felt the same emotions for my daughter as when I passed out from here 30 years ago.
I consider myself lucky to enjoy it twice in life," he said.
Pune: As the first batch of women cadets took part in the passing out parade (PoP) of the National Defence Academy (NDA) on Friday morning — their spirited march a symbol of their exemplary performance during the course — the emotions of their parents ran high with pride at the historic moment.
Most of the parents were in tears and hugged their daughters — officers in the making — in front of the Sudan Block, citing their immense pride at their child's choice of career and achievements.
"My daughter is not only mine now. She is a daughter of the nation," said Ashok Mehalan, father of Army cadet Sheetal Mehalan. Sheetal hails from Sanchana town in Rohtak district of Haryana and has always excelled at academics. She was awarded as best student after securing 95% in Std X at Spring Board School, Sonipat, and garnered 96% in her Std XII board exams.
"She is our only daughter. When she decided to join the NDA, we supported her as it was her choice.
She was inspired by her grandfather, who served in the Army," said Ashok, a trader by profession.
Sheetal's mother Mukeshkumar said it was tough to stay away from her daughter. "But gradually, we accepted her life, and today she is part of the historic occasion of the academy. I could not identify her when she marched on the parade ground. This is the level of transformation. I am so proud of her," she added.
"My daughter has given me a new identity," said C Sangwan, father of cadet Ishita Sangwan.
The principal of a private school in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, Sangwan said he had motivated Ishita to prepare for the NDA entrance exam as she studied for JEE at Kota. "When we got to know about entry for women in the NDA through the news, we asked her to submit her form 20 days before the exam. She cleared the exam and prepared for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview by watching videos.
Today, she proved her mettle and determination and made us very proud," he added.
Most of the parents said they supported their daughters' decision to join NDA, despite excellence in studies and other available career options. They proudly took selfies with them to celebrate the occasion.
Ajit Duhan, father of Ritul Duhan, the first Battalion Cadet Captain of the women's batch, said, "I fall short of words to praise her achievement today. Her personality has changed completely — a total transformation.
Leading her battalion on the parade ground was a very special moment." Her mother, Seva, a homemaker, said, "What more can I ask from her? I am seeing a very strong, confident, and determined beti today.
This is a change in her personality that I would not ever have imagined."
The parents of the cadets dubbed the event as surreal. Witnessing their daughters on the parade ground was a special moment, said Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh (retd), the father of cadet Shriti Daksh, adding, "I felt the same emotions for my daughter as when I passed out from here 30 years ago. I consider myself lucky to enjoy it twice in life," he said.
