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Indian Express
29-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
148th batch NDA toppers say family inspired them to reach the top
The four academic toppers — who are part of the landmark 148th course of the National Defence Academy in which the first batch of women cadets graduated on Thursday — all recounted how their inspiration to join the Armed services and excel at the NDA came from their own families. For Division Cadet Captain Shreeti Daksh, who stood first in the Arts stream, the inspiration didn't just come from her father Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh (Retd) but also from her elder sister who is currently serving in the IAF as Flying Officer. 'It is a great feeling being able to carry forward the family legacy and following the footsteps of my father and elder sister to serve the country.' Shreeti said. Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh (Retd) said, 'I am feeling very proud that my younger daughter has also made it into the Armed forces. She will soon be joining the Indian Military Academy. I hope and wish that she does great there too.' Shreeti, who had scored 97 per cent marks in Class 10 and 99 percent in Class 12 from Commerce stream with Maths background, is now set to join the Army after she completes her pre-commissioning training at the IMA. Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi stood first in the BTech stream and is now set to lead the Passing Out Parade on Friday. He said that he will be the fourth generation of officers in his family. 'I come from a harcore defence family. I will be joining the Indian Navy. Both my grandfather and father have commanded the third Battalion of the Third Gorkha Rifles. I knew from the beginning that I would be joining the Armed forces.' Udayveer's father, Colonel Aditya Singh Negi, who is a recipient of the prestigious Shaurya Chakra and the Sena Medal said, 'I don't think there can be a prouder moment for parents than seeing their son not only receive a medal but also lead the Passing Out Parade, which is on Friday. My son said he will be a fourth generation officer. So a lot of people ask us why he is joining the Navy and not the Army. So I say that we have relatives in the Army and Air Force but no one in the Navy till now. So he is filling that gap. This is a momentous day for us.' Udayveer's mother Shibani Negi said, 'For our family, the military has been a way of life. My husband is serving in the Infantry and of his 25 years in service, he has been away from the family for more than 10. So people ask, how come you are sending your son to the Armed forces. But I feel it just comes to us. I feel really proud today.' Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwah, who stood first in the Computer Science stream, said, 'My father is an ex-serviceman and retired as Naib Subedar from the Regiment of Artillery. My mother is a homemaker. I have two older sisters. My eldest is pursuing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, while the other is currently in her first term at the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. She's also on her path to joining the Armed Forces. My years at the NDA have taught me many lessons. Because my father was in the Army, there was always a respect for the Armed forces in my mind. I decided to try for NDA when I came to Class 11. In Class 10, secured 97.6 per cent and in Class 12, 96 per cent. I had cleared IIT JEE and NEET both. But those were not the choices. I was sure that I wanted to join the NDA. There was no second thought.' His father Naib Subedar Lal Chand Kushwah (Retd) said, 'This is a very proud moment and a memorable day for us. I want to thank the NDA from the bottom of our hearts. I am also happy that my son will be joining the Army.' Cadet Lucky Kumar stood first in the science stream, who set to join the Air Force said, 'My father is a farmer and mother is a homemaker. My NDA alumnus cousin from the Foxtrot squadron used to tell me stories about the NDA and how it is one of the best military training institutions in the world. That inspired me to join the NDA. I learned a lot at the NDA. For example, I learned swimming at the academy. Before coming here, I had never played hockey in my life. By the end of the sixth term I was the captain of the hockey team and won a trophy.' Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
As first women cadets graduate, father-daughter duo cherish Hunter Squadron bond of demanding regimen, pushing own limits
ON THURSDAY when the convocation of the historic 148th course of the NDA which comprised the first batch of the women cadets, Division Cadet Captain (DCC) Shreeti Daksh, who topped the Arts stream at the National Defence Academy (NDA), and her father, retired Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh, cherished a special bond through the storied Hunter or 'H' Squadron of the tri services academy. Known for its extremely demanding physical training regimen, the Hunter Squadron was Shreeti's deliberate choice — a tribute to her father's legacy and a testament to her own resolve to take the tougher path. On Thursday, a total of 339 cadets including the 17 female cadets were awarded their degrees and course completion certificates. DCC Shreeti stood first in the Arts stream with an Final Grade Point average of 7.5. Her family hails from Haryana but has been staying in Noida for some time now. She completed her schooling from DAV Public Noida. Shreeti who had scored 97 per cent marks in Class 10 and 99 percent in Class 12 from Commerce stream with Maths background, is now set to join the Army after she completes her pre-commissioning training at the Indian Military Academy Dehradun in the coming year. Speaking to reporters after the convocation, Shreeti said, 'The training at the NDA was a mix of emotions. Initially it took some time for me to assimilate. And we did it gradually for which we had great support from instructors, support staff, faculty and the academy in its entirety. My father is an NDA alumnus from the 86th course Hunter Squadron. Which gives both of us an immense feeling of pride. My mother is a teacher. My sister is currently serving in the Air Force as a Flying Officer. So I am carrying forward the legacy of father and sister both. I would like to dedicate my achievement to my mother. She has always been there for me.' Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh (Retd) — who is a helicopter pilot, retired from the IAF six years ago and now works in the private sector as pilot — said, Wing Commander Daksh, 'She specifically opted for the Hunter Squadron. We have to understand that Hunter Squadron is known to be a tough squadron specifically from the physical training part. The cadets here do a lot of PT as a tradition, which is much more than the mandated curriculum. PT is done here in the evening hours, even night hours sometimes. There are traditions of doing push ups and sit ups, basically to push one's own limits all the time. And she knew all this before making that choice. So you can imagine the grit she comes with.' Speaking about Shreeti's journey of physical training, Wing Commander Daksh said, 'She did have a significant physical training background before coming here. The 2021 Supreme Court order came like a bolt from the blue. When she expressed the intent to join the NDA, I took her to a park near our house in Noida and asked her to jog or run. She could only complete a small distance. She promised me that she will practice. Within a month, she built up stamina manifold. With that dedication and progress, I knew that she could do this. From initial hiccups in doing push ups and pull ups, she has now built immense stamina for that too, living up to the Hunter Squadron traditions. I want to say that it's really about how much you want to challenge yourself and push your own limits. And she has done it repeatedly and successfully.' He added, 'I was not really good at academics, to be honest. She has broken that glass ceiling too, in a way, by excelling in academics.' He added, 'I am feeling very proud that my younger daughter has also made it into the Armed forces. What is making me even happier is that she is doing it from the same Hunter Squadron, which I was part of more than 30 years ago. She has earned more laurels than me by topping the course in academics and service subjects. What more can a father expect?' Shreeti's mother Anju Daksh said, 'It is indeed a proud moment for me to witness my daughter's achievements. I would like to thank the entire NDA fraternity.' At the NDA, the squadron system forms the backbone of cadet life, with each squadron having its own distinct identity, traditions, and spirit. These squadrons compete intensely across academics, sports, drill, and cultural activities, fostering a sense of pride, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence among cadets. In each term, a squadron is chosen as the winning squadron, after they are judged on a range of performance and discipline criteria. The NDA has 18 squadrons and the nomenclature is as per the NATO phonetic alphabet letters for Alpha Squadron, Bravo Squadron, Charlie Squadron, and so on. Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
