DEHRADUN: A 25-year-old from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Mohammed Safin Ashraf, completed his training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) despite political turmoil in his country last year. Remaining focused on his goal, he went on to graduate from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and will be commissioned into the Bangladesh Army on Saturday.
Ashraf was among 34 cadets from 14 foreign countries who passed out alongside 491 Indian cadets. He was also named the best foreign cadet of the batch and received the First in Order of Merit – Foreign Cadet medal from General Upendra Dwivedi, the chief of army staff and reviewing officer of the passing out parade.
“What happened did not bother me much as it was political. I was concerned about my family, but they assured me they were safe. Today, I am happy that my hard work has paid off. I will serve my country in uniform and fulfil my dream of becoming a soldier,” Ashraf said.
The first member of his family to join the armed forces, Ashraf said he felt a sense of regret that his family could not attend the ceremony. “They could not come today due to some issues, but they had visited me earlier in India. I will return home soon and share this happiness with them,” he said.
His father works in a government department in Dhaka.
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Principal Correspondent at TOI Dehradun, covering crime, defence,...
Read MorePrincipal Correspondent at TOI Dehradun, covering crime, defence, power and off-beat human interest stories.
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