In a heartwarming display of dedication and service, Ankit Chaudhary, a cadet at the National Defence Academy (NDA), reflects on his journey towards becoming an Army officer and the profound influences that propelled him. The President’s gold medalist from the 147th course revealed that his decision to join the Army was significantly motivated by the support his family received during challenging times. Ankit’s father, Sultansing, a former soldier in the 11 Rajputana Rifles infantry battalion, battled liver cancer before his passing three years ago. “The Army took care of my ailing father through the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS),” said Ankit, emphasizing his sense of obligation to give back to the institution that supported his family during difficult days.
Ankit shared how he successfully cleared the JEE Main entrance exam, but faced a difficult crossroads when he had to choose between the Advanced JEE examination and the interview for the Service Selection Board (SSB) for NDA, both of which were scheduled on the same day. “I listened to my inner feelings and sacrificed my IIT dream,” he remarked, highlighting the gravity of his career-defining decision. Eventually, he felt a strong call to serve in the Indian Army, which he believes would have made his father proud. “Today, I believe I made my father proud. He would have been happy with my decision,” Ankit expressed, with his mother, Sarojdevi, a government teacher in Rajasthan, standing beside him with tears of joy in her eyes.
Ankit hails from Barsinghpura village in Sikar district, about 115 kilometers from Jaipur. He completed his schooling at St. Mary’s Senior Secondary School, where his mother devoted herself to ensuring a good education for her children after her husband’s death. Sarojdevi beamed with pride as she recounted her singular aim: “Being a single mother, my sole aim was to educate my children well.” Ankit’s younger brother, Aanshu, is preparing to join the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to pursue a medical degree, further amplifying the family’s achievements.
In a parallel story of triumph, Jodha Thongiaomayum, the son of a school van driver from Manipur, also made headlines by winning a bronze medal at the NDA. Reflecting on his childhood in Imphal, Jodha credited his father, Rosoraj, for his unwavering support, saying, “My father supported my career ambitions. Because of his encouragement, I was able to achieve this milestone.” Rosoraj was seen celebrating with family and friends, beaming with pride during the recognition of his son’s achievements.
Similarly, Army cadet Yuvraj Singh Chauhan, who excelled in the science stream and received the President’s Silver Medal, shared his aspirations of emulating his father’s legacy as an Army officer serving in the Corps of Engineers. “My father has always been my motivation. I would like to follow in his footsteps and join the Corps of Engineers after completing my one-year training,” Yuvraj stated, underscoring the familial pride that reverberates within the ranks of these aspiring officers.
The ceremonies at the NDA were not just a celebration of individual accomplishments; they represented a broader narrative about family dedication, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of service that resonates in the hearts of these young cadets as they embark on their military careers.
