Cadets with military school background shine at NDA

Pune: Education in military schools has helped toppers of the 144th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) enhance their performances in the grueling training of the academy.Three such toppers made their parents proud on Tuesday as they passed out with flying colours from the NDA. Gold medallist Afrid Afroz won the president’s gold medal for standing first in the overall order of merit. He was a student at the army public school in Patiala cantonment before joining Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun. “School has played a massive role in grooming me before I Joined the academy. We joined NDA during the coronavirus pandemic but I did not face any challenge in training,” Afrid, an air cadet, who aspires to be a fighter pilot, told TOI.Mohammed, Afroz’s father said he never restricted his son from following his dream. “He has been a bright student and an excellent horse rider. He has made us proud today. Parents must allow their children to pursue that they like,” he told TOI.Naval cadet and silver medallist Anshu Kumar, who also commanded the passing-out-parade, is an alumnus of the Sainik School, Gopalganj. He drew inspiration from his fellow seniors in school. “The routine at school was similar to that in the academy and hence my journey here has been smooth,” he said.Government teachers Bhola Kumar and Pramila are Anshu’s parents who said,“Seeing him command the parade in the presence of dignitaries is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us. He has made us proud,” they told TOI.Bronze medallist Praveen Singh of the India squadron drew his inspiration to join the army after witnessing personnel conduct para-trooping exercises from the rooftop of his house in Agra. “I had been seeing armed forces personnel since childhood. That is when I decided to pursue a career in the army and joined the Rashtriya Military School , Dholpur in Rajasthan ,” he told TOI.His father Manojkumar and mother Geetadevi said, “He is the first one from our family to join the army. We are proud of his achievement. Seeing him in the parade was a unique experience for us,” said Manojkumar.
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