Latest news with #ex-NDA
India Gazette
3 days ago
- General
- India Gazette
"Every day was new box of surprises...": Female cadet shares NDA graduating journey
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 30 (ANI): For Ishita Sangwan, who was among the first batch of 17 newly commissioned cadets who graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune on Friday, every day at the joint defence service training institute of the Indian Armed Forces 'offered a new box of surprises'. Reflected on her NDA journey, Sangwan said '...It feels amazing to be an ex-NDA. I had no idea about NDA as there was no one from a defence background in my family. When I joined, everything was new. It felt like every day was a new box of surprises, every day was something new...' The first batch of 17 female cadets graduated from the Academy today. The cadets celebrated their transformation into future officers of the Indian Armed Forces after three years of rigorous training at the premier tri-services academy. Cadet Harsimran Kaur, who also graduated in the first batch of female cadets, said, 'I was actually preparing for JEE Mains and then NDA came in between as a blessing. I was told by one of my friends that NDA is open for women as well. Then I thought of giving it a try. I just want to say that don't be afraid of anything. You can do whatever you want, just believe in yourself and go for it.' Cadet Udayveer Negi, who won the Commandant Silver Medal and the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Trophy for securing first position in B. Tech, expressed heartfelt emotions as he looked back at his training journey. Negi said, 'It is a very surreal moment for me and I cannot explain it in words. There are a lot of emotions right now, a lot of anxiety. Feeling really happy that my parents are here and just find a moment with me. The journey has been an interesting one. All the members of my family, most of them, have served in the defence forces. So from the start, it was always an inspiration for me that I had to join the defence forces one way or the other.' The graduation event was held at the NDA campus in Khadakwasla, Pune, and reviewed by General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), the current Governor of Mizoram and a former Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). The ceremony brought together cadets, proud parents, military officials, and dignitaries from across the country to witness the event. Calling it a 'significant and historic' event, General VK Singh praised the achievement of the graduating women cadets. 'Today is also a unique and significant day in the history of the academy. The first batch of women cadets will pass out today. This marks a historic milestone in our collective journey of our greatest inclusivity and empowerment. These women are a symbol of Nari Shakti. It's embodied not just in women's development but in women-led development,' the former COAS said. In August 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered that women should be allowed to join the National Defence Academy (NDA). This ruling came after the government had previously been taking steps to implement the allowance of women into the NDA. The Supreme Court's decision was based on pleas filed by women seeking to be admitted to the NDA. Entry to NDA is through a common National written examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) followed by selection by Service Selection Board (SSB) with no demarcation or quota for any State or Union Territory. The first batch of female cadets joined NDA in August, 2022 (i.e. from the148th NDA course). 126 female cadets have joined NDA from 148th course till date i.e. the 153rd course. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
First batch of 17 women cadets pass out from NDA with 300 male counterparts
In a historic moment, the first batch of 17 women cadets graduated alongside 300 male counterparts from the Pune-based National Defence Academy (NDA) on Friday. Marking the passing out of the first co-ed batch, the cadets went past 'Antim Pag' at the Khetrpal Parade Ground of the tri-service training academy in Khadakwasla. Academy cadet captain, Udayveer Negi, commanded the parade of the 148th course, with former army chief and current governor of Mizoram, General VK Singh as the reviewing officer of the Passing Out Parade. 'This marks a historic milestone in our collective journey towards greater inclusivity and empowerment,' Gen Singh said on the occasion. Calling the young women as 'Nari Shakti", he said that they embody 'not just women's development but women-led development'. A total of 339 cadets, including the trailblazing 17 female cadets, were conferred degrees from Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Of these, 84 cadets were awarded BSc degrees, 85 received Computer Science degrees, 59 got Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees and 111 were conferred degrees. Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh, further etched her name in history by topping the bachelor of arts stream. Talking about her experience at the academy, Daksh said that, "the three-year training here was a mix of emotions. Initially, it took some time to assimilate but gradually I got accustomed and assimilated into the academy with the help of instructors, staff.' Daksh, whose father is also ex-NDA from the same squadron, says she is carrying forward the legacy of the family. Meanwhile, Computer Science stream topper Cadet Captain Prince Kushwaha also talked about his female counterparts saying "we are the ones who have who have seen the academy changing and evolving from the moon to sun". Poonam Tondon, Vice Chancellor of Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, Gorakhpur, said she was confident the first graduating batch of female cadets, along with their male counterparts, will carve a name for themselves as exemplary leaders of both men and women. To the women cadets she also said that, "Serve with honour, lead with courage, and remain forever true to the ideals you have sworn to protect.' She further said that the Guru Dakshina of these cadets to NDA will come in the form of the name and fame that they will bring to the Academy and the country through acts of bravery. (With PTI inputs)
NDTV
3 days ago
- General
- NDTV
In A First, 17 Women Cadets Take Part In NDA's Passing Out Parade
New Delhi: The first batch of 17 female cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA), scripting history by marching along side over 300 male cadets during the Passing Out Parade this morning. The women cadets joined the NDA in 2022, after a Supreme Court interim order allowed women to seek admission to the tri-services academy. Division Cadet Captain Shriti Daksh secured the highest rank in the Bachelor of Arts stream. Cadet Lucky Kumar, Battalion Cadet Captain Prince Kumar Singh Kushwaha and Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi stood first in the Science, Computer Science and B. Tech streams respectively. Ms Daksh told PTI, "The three year training here was a mix of emotions. Initially, it took some time to assimilate but gradually I got accustomed and assimilated into the academy with the help of instructors, staff. My father is also ex-NDA and from the Hunter Squadron. I am also from the same squadron. So I am carrying forward the legacy of my family." Mr Kushwaha, whose father is an ex-serviceman, said the three years in the academy were challenging and taught him many life lessons which he will carry forward. On the admission of women cadets, he said he had witnessed the evolvement of the academy from being male-dominated to being an integrated academy one, adding "we are the ones who have who have seen the academy changing and evolving from the moon to sun". Mr Kumar told PTI that he learnt several things, from swimming to horse riding to hockey, at the academy. "Before coming here, I did not know how to play hockey but by the last term, I was the captain of the hockey team and we won a trophy," he added. Cadets were conferred degrees from Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Wednesday. Of these, 84 cadets were awarded BSc degrees, 85 received Computer Science degrees, 59 got Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees and 111 were conferred degrees. The Passing Out Parade of the 148th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) was held on Friday at the NDA campus in Khadakwasla, Pune. The Reviewing Officer for the parade is General Dr Vijay Kumar Singh, Governor of Mizoram and former Army Chief. After passing out from NDA, cadets will proceed to their respective pre-commissioning academies: the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun for the Army, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala for the Navy, and the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal for the Air Force. Since 2022, 126 women cadets have joined the NDA across six batches (148 to 153), with five resignations reported so far. While the NDA maintains that training remains largely gender neutral, certain drills were adapted to account for physiological differences.
