Kiran Bedi Addresses NDA Graduating Cadets
Pune: Kiran Bedi, former lieutenant governor of Puducherry and ex-IPS officer, addressed the graduating cadets at the convocation ceremony of the 150th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) on Friday. She stated that the greatest responsibility of those in uniform is to uphold public trust.
"The uniform you wear is a national pride. It is authority, but more importantly, it is responsibility. The trust in the armed forces and police force is earned with fairness, courage, integrity and professionalism daily, especially when the citizens are at the most vulnerable state," she said.
Drawing from a career spanning nearly four decades in the Indian Police Service, Bedi noted that citizens often view officers in uniform not merely as individuals, but as representatives of the state itself. "Your men and women will not just follow your orders; they will watch you. Leadership is not what you say, it is what you do, consistently," she emphasized.
Invoking the legacy of military icons such as field marshals Sam Manekshaw and Kodandera M Cariappa, Bedi highlighted the importance of discipline, preparation, and selfless service to the nation. She described leadership as the ability to take responsibility without excuses and stressed that "country first" must remain the guiding principle for every officer.
Bedi emphasized that national interest and preparedness must remain of paramount importance for security forces, while referring to the terror attack in Pahalgam. She thanked the parents and families of the graduating cadets for entrusting the nation with their children.
Only the "extraordinary," she said, make it through the NDA's highly competitive and physically demanding curriculum. She called the cadets "scholar warriors" and praised their ability to balance rigorous military training with academic pursuits.
Highlighting the changing nature of warfare, Bedi cautioned that wars are no longer limited to borders. "They are fought in cyber domains, information spaces and strategic decision rooms," she said, adding that the academy had prepared cadets to anticipate and respond to these evolving threats.
Bedi reminded the graduating cadets that they would occupy key leadership positions when India celebrates 100 years of Independence in 2047. She urged them to become trusted guardians of the nation and protectors of its people.
NDA Sheds Colonial Dress Code
The convocation ceremony of the 150th course of the NDA saw a significant change when professors wore Indian coats and shawls during the ceremony. This new dress code replaced the colonial era convocation attire, which included satin robes and gowns, hoods, and mortarboards. There was uniformity in their dress code.
"All the major institutions have stopped this practice as per the directive from the authorities concerned. So, NDA also followed suit," said Ankush Chavan, defence PRO, Pune.
