Flying officer Poyla Ghosh upholds family’s military tradition with top honors at AFMC

Pune: Flying Officer Poyla Ghosh made his parents proud on Wednesday by securing third rank in overall merit at Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC).

Both her parents graduated from AFMC, Pune. Poyla's father, Col Arijit Kumar Ghosh (retd), headed the cardiology department of the Army Institute of Cardio Thoracic Sciences. Her mother, Col Pratibha Misra, is a molecular biologist at RR Hospital in New Delhi.

"My parents were my source of inspiration from childhood, and it was my dream to serve in the Armed Forces Medical Services. Today, I am happy to carry forward the military legacy of the family. I can proudly say I am the third-generation officer in the family," Poyla, also the College Cadet Captain, told TOI.

When Poyla joined AFMC in 2020, her mother, Col Pratibha Misra, was heading its biochemistry department. "On the campus, she was a medical cadet like others to me. Today, she made us proud. What more can parents ask from children if they fulfil their dreams?" said Col Misra.

Poyla was earlier determined to join the Indian Army but eventually chose the Indian Air Force. "When I stood third in the merit in AFMC exam, I had an option to choose among the services. I chose the Indian Air Force because I have seen the life and journey of my parents in the Army and I wanted to experience something different," she said.

Poyla was excellent in academics right from her school days. She topped Standard X from Bishop's School, Undri, and Standard XII from Army Public School, Southern Command. She stood second in merit in the AFMC entrance examination. "She had a bright opportunity in civil colleges also. But she was determined to continue the military legacy of the family, and hence she joined AFMC," said Col Arijit Kumar Ghosh (retd), who currently heads the cardiology department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur. Poyla will complete one-year internship at the command hospital of IAF in Bengaluru.

For Lieutenant Nisha Bharti, who passed out of AFMC, it was an emotional day, too. "I lost my father, Subedar Vinod Kumar, two years ago. His sudden demise shocked me. It was his dream to see me graduate from AFMC. But sadly, he is not present here today," she said. Her mother, brother, and other family members carried a photo frame of Subedar Kumar. "He came to the college to drop me off, but today he is not here. I am missing his presence with us on this proud occasion," she added.

Vice-Admiral urges medical cadets to uphold integrity and service

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin on Wednesday urged the passing out medical cadets of Armed Forces Medical College to uphold the highest standards of service and commitment to the nation.

"You are now the torchbearers of a proud legacy. Uphold the values of honour, integrity, and selfless service. Lead with purpose, serve with humility, and strive to make a meaningful difference. Uphold the values and ethos of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). Let sincerity be your foundation, dedication your compass, and integrity your guiding light," she said.

"Science and technology have revolutionised medical practice, but they will never replace the value of human touch in healing. Our soldiers and their families will look up to you for comfort, courage, and care. Provide these always every time you interact with them," she added.

The parade was held at Capt Devashish Sharma, Kirti Chakra parade ground. 121 medical graduates of 59th batch were formally commissioned into AFMS. Of them, 93 were boy cadets, and 28 were lady cadets. 95 cadets were commissioned into the Army, 11 into the Navy, and 15 joined the Air Force.

Pune: Flying Officer Poyla Ghosh made his parents proud on Wednesday by securing third rank in overall merit at Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC).

Both her parents graduated from AFMC, Pune. Poyla's father, Col Arijit Kumar Ghosh (retd), headed the cardiology department of the Army Institute of Cardio Thoracic Sciences. Her mother, Col Pratibha Misra, is a molecular biologist at RR Hospital in New Delhi.

"My parents were my source of inspiration from childhood, and it was my dream to serve in the Armed Forces Medical Services. Today, I am happy to carry forward the military legacy of the family. I can proudly say I am the third-generation officer in the family," Poyla, also the College Cadet Captain, told TOI.

When Poyla joined AFMC in 2020, her mother, Col Pratibha Misra, was heading its biochemistry department. "On the campus, she was a medical cadet like others to me. Today, she made us proud. What more can parents ask from children if they fulfil their dreams?" said Col Misra.

Poyla was earlier determined to join the Indian Army but eventually chose the Indian Air Force. "When I stood third in the merit in AFMC exam, I had an option to choose among the services. I chose the Indian Air Force because I have seen the life and journey of my parents in the Army and I wanted to experience something different," she said.

Poyla was excellent in academics right from her school days. She topped Standard X from Bishop's School, Undri, and Standard XII from Army Public School, Southern Command. She stood second in merit in the AFMC entrance examination. "She had a bright opportunity in civil colleges also. But she was determined to continue the military legacy of the family, and hence she joined AFMC," said Col Arijit Kumar Ghosh (retd), who currently heads the cardiology department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur. Poyla will complete one-year internship at the command hospital of IAF in Bengaluru.

For Lieutenant Nisha Bharti, who passed out of AFMC, it was an emotional day, too. "I lost my father, Subedar Vinod Kumar, two years ago. His sudden demise shocked me. It was his dream to see me graduate from AFMC. But sadly, he is not present here today," she said. Her mother, brother, and other family members carried a photo frame of Subedar Kumar. "He came to the college to drop me off, but today he is not here. I am missing his presence with us on this proud occasion," she added.

Vice-Admiral urges medical cadets to uphold integrity and service

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin on Wednesday urged the passing out medical cadets of Armed Forces Medical College to uphold the highest standards of service and commitment to the nation.

"You are now the torchbearers of a proud legacy. Uphold the values of honour, integrity, and selfless service. Lead with purpose, serve with humility, and strive to make a meaningful difference. Uphold the values and ethos of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). Let sincerity be your foundation, dedication your compass, and integrity your guiding light," she said.

"Science and technology have revolutionised medical practice, but they will never replace the value of human touch in healing. Our soldiers and their families will look up to you for comfort, courage, and care. Provide these always every time you interact with them," she added.

The parade was held at Capt Devashish Sharma, Kirti Chakra parade ground. 121 medical graduates of 59th batch were formally commissioned into AFMS. Of them, 93 were boy cadets, and 28 were lady cadets. 95 cadets were commissioned into the Army, 11 into the Navy, and 15 joined the Air Force.