Not just women’s development, but women led development: Gen VK Singh at POP

The first batch of women cadets joined NDA in July-August 2022 as part of its 148th course.

Gen VK Singh interacts with female cadets at NDA. (Express photograph by Arul Horizon)

On Friday when Mizoram Governor General VK Singh (Retd) reviewed the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the historic 148th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), he said that the first batch of women cadets “embodies not just women’s development, but women-led development”. He also said that a future isn’t far when one of these young women may rise to the highest echelons of the service they join.
Gen Singh, an alumnus himself of the 36th course of the NDA which passed out of the academy 56 years ago, said in his address at the POP, “It is a deeply personal and great honour for me to stand here at the very place where my own journey began on June 7, 1969, over five decades ago. I am witnessing another chapter in the glorious history of the cradle of military leadership.”

Addressing the cadets, Gen Singh said, “Dear cadets on parade, today you stand at the threshold of a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and glory. You are about to join the ranks of the finest armed forces of the world, the Indian army, the Navy, and the Air Force. The armed forces of India are not merely about military strength. They are about honour. They are about duty and the will to rise above self. As you move in your future into your regiments, squadrons and fleets that await you after your next round of training, remember that glory is not won in comfort. It is carved through grit, persistence, and unrelenting discipline.”

Gen Singh who served as the 26th Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army, said, “Today is a uniquely significant day in the history of the academy. The first batch of female cadets passes out from NDA today. This marks a historic milestone in our collective journey towards greater inclusivity and empowerment. These young women are an inimitable symbol of Nari Shakti, embodying not just women’s development, but women-led development. I envision a future not far from now when one of these young women may rise to the highest echelons of the service they go to.”

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General Singh, who joined the BJP in March 2014 and successfully contested Lok Sabha election the same year, further said in his address, “The world you enter is changing fast. Technology, cyber warfare, artificial intelligence and space defence are reshaping the battlefield. The warriors of tomorrow must be intellectually agile as well as physically tough. Never stop learning. Adapt, innovate, think, and lead by example.

Amidst the rapid changes, never forget the sacred bond between you as a leader and your men and women. You will be entrusted with command of men and women who will look up to you, not just for orders, but for inspiration. Take care of them, know their stories, stand by them always, and the strength of lies, not just in weapons, but in trust. And trust stems from professional excellence. Seamless integration and jointness among the three services is vital. It is the sine qua non of the modern battlefield. The collective preparedness of individuals determines the strength of our national security apparatus.”

Sushant Kulkarni

Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More

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