PUNE: Ankit Chaudhary, the President’s gold medalist of the 147th course at the National Defence Academy (NDA), has expressed a deep sense of duty and commitment to serve in the Army, rooted in the care his family received during his father’s battle with liver cancer. Ankit’s father, Sultansing, served in the 11 Rajputana Rifles infantry battalion for 17 years before his passing three years ago, benefiting from the comprehensive medical services provided by the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).
Ankit faced a pivotal decision when the JEE Advanced examination clashed with the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview for NDA. Although he had successfully cleared the JEE Main entrance exam, the scheduling conflict forced him to reflect deeply on his aspirations. “I prepared only for the JEE entrance exam and decided to take the NDA entrance with my friends. It was a career-defining moment for me. I listened to my inner feelings and sacrificed my IIT dream,” he stated. Ultimately, the support that the Army provided his family made his choice clear; he felt an obligation to join the organization that had cared for them in their time of need.
Ankit recounted the profound impact of his father’s experience with the Army’s healthcare system. “I saw how well the Army took care of him. Today, I believe I made my father proud. He would have been happy with my decision,” he reflected. His mother, Sarojdevi, who works as a teacher in the Rajasthan government, stood alongside him, visibly emotional as she recounted the challenges of raising her children alone following her husband’s death. “My sole aim was to educate my children well. While Ankit joined NDA, my younger son Aanshu will join AIIMS to pursue a medical degree. Both sons have made me proud,” she shared with tears in her eyes.
Ankit’s roots trace back to Barsinghpura village in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, located about 115 km from Jaipur. He completed his schooling at St Mary’s Senior Secondary School in Sikar and earned the prestigious opportunity to command the parade for his course at NDA. “Out of 11 cadets considered, I was selected this morning. It was a significant honour, and I will cherish it throughout my life,” Ankit expressed, highlighting the pride and honor associated with his achievements as he embarks on this promising journey of service in the Indian Army.
