A farmer's daughter from Ropar district has achieved the top rank in the country in the Air Force Academy merit list, marking a significant milestone for women in defence services. Mehakpreet Kaur, a cadet at Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls (AFPI) in Mohali, secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the Air Force Academy (AFA) merit list. This achievement is particularly notable given the limited vacancies available for women in the defence sector.
Another Cadet Secures AIR 18 for NDA
In a parallel success story, Komalpreet Kaur, a fellow cadet at Mai Bhago AFPI and daughter of Indian Army Havildar Gurmeet Singh from Amritsar, secured All India Rank 18 for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune. Both cadets come from modest backgrounds, embodying the institute's founding ethos of 'Shubh Karman Te Kabhu Na Taraun' — never to shy away from righteous action.
Background of the Toppers
Mehakpreet Kaur is the daughter of Amarjit Singh, a farmer, and Rupinder Kaur, residents of Paprali village in Ropar district. Her journey from a small village to the top of the national merit list is an inspiration. Komalpreet Kaur hails from Shahura village in Amritsar district, where her father, Havildar Gurmeet Singh, serves in the Indian Army, and her mother is Baljit Kaur.
Government and Institute Praise
Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora congratulated both cadets, stating that their success "reflects the vision of a new, aspirational Punjab." He emphasized that they have "shattered glass ceilings for every daughter of Punjab from small towns and villages." The minister recalled that the Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, launched an NDA Preparatory Wing for girls at Mai Bhago AFPI in 2023. This decision has now yielded national-level results within just three years.
Mai Bhago AFPI Director Major General Jasbir Singh Sandhu, AVSM (Retd.), described Mehakpreet's AIR 1 finish as "extraordinary given the minuscule vacancies for women in the defence services." He noted that both cadets have given a "massive boost" to the state government's mission of sending more daughters of Punjab into uniform.
About Mai Bhago AFPI
Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls in Mohali is a dedicated NDA preparatory wing for girls, launched in 2023. The institute operates with the founding ethos of 'Shubh Karman Te Kabhu Na Taraun', aiming to prepare young women for careers in the armed forces. The success of Mehakpreet and Komalpreet underscores the institute's effectiveness in nurturing talent from rural and modest backgrounds.
Know the Toppers
- Mehakpreet Kaur: AIR 1, Air Force Academy merit list; native of Paprali village, Ropar; daughter of Amarjit Singh (farmer) and Rupinder Kaur; student of Mai Bhago AFPI, Mohali; entry into Air Force Academy.
- Komalpreet Kaur: AIR 18, National Defence Academy; native of Shahura village, Amritsar; daughter of Havildar Gurmeet Singh (Indian Army) and Baljit Kaur; student of Mai Bhago AFPI, Mohali; entry into NDA, Khadakwasla.
The achievements of these two cadets have brought pride to Punjab and highlighted the potential of young women from rural areas. Their success is expected to inspire many more girls to pursue careers in defence services, breaking traditional barriers and contributing to national security.
