The hallowed halls of the National Defence Academy (NDA) witnessed a momentous occasion on Saturday as the 149th course celebrated its convocation. A total of 328 cadets were conferred degrees and course completion certificates in a ceremony that underscored the power of childhood aspirations, with all the academic toppers emerging from civilian families.
Inspiring Journeys from Civilian Life
Division Cadet Captain (DCC) Vishwesh Bhalerao, who topped the Arts stream and also received the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee Trophy for the BTech stream, credited the skies of his hometown, Pune, for his ambition. "The Sukhoi’s flying in Pune skies inspired me to join NDA. Sitting from my balcony with my grandparents or parents, I used to dream of flying them one day," he shared. The son of two practicing ophthalmologists from Pune, Vishwesh admitted that adapting to the disciplined military environment was a challenge he overcame with the help of dedicated instructors.
Battalion Cadet Captain (BCC) Ananya, who topped the Computer Science stream and is among the second batch of female cadets at the NDA, hails from Uttarakhand. She was pursuing a Statistics (Honours) degree at Delhi University when she seized the opportunity after the academy opened its doors to women. "I do not have a military background. My father runs a business and my mother is in accounting. As a child when I used to see any armed forces officer or personnel, I wanted to become like them," she stated, reflecting on her transformative three-year journey.
A Convocation of Achievers
The convocation, held at the NDA, saw Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) conferring degrees upon the passing-out cadets. The batch of 328 included 15 female cadets, signifying a growing inclusion within the forces. The academic breakdown was as follows:
- 72 cadets in the Science stream
- 92 cadets in the Computer Science stream
- 52 cadets in the Arts stream
Additionally, 112 Navy and Air Force cadets from the BTech stream received course completion certificates. They will be awarded their full degrees after completing one year of training at their respective pre-commissioning academies—the Indian Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy. The course also comprised 18 cadets from friendly foreign countries.
More Toppers with a Civilian Spark
Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) Kartik Maheshwari from Haldwani, Uttarakhand, received the Chief of Army Staff’s Trophy for topping the Science stream. With a father in business and a mother who is a teacher, Kartik emphasized the role of his instructors in molding him. "The drill instructors, PT instructors, teachers not only train us, they mentor us, groom us and mould us into better human beings," he said.
Battalion Cadet Captain Anurag Gupta, who topped the Arts stream and received the Chief of Air Staff’s Trophy, also comes from a civilian background, proving that a dream nurtured from childhood can indeed become a reality with determination and hard work. This batch of toppers stands as a testament to the fact that the call to serve the nation knows no familial boundaries, and inspiration can truly take flight from a civilian balcony.
