Winners take it all and at the NDA,Sainik Schools emerged as winners. All the three cadets who bagged medals at the Passing out Parade were from Sainik Schools. Academy Cadet Captain (ACC) Manoj Kumar of Bravo Squadron who was awarded the Presidents Gold Medal gave the credit of his medal to the NDA as well as the years spent at Sainik School,Satara. It was at Sainik School Satara that I understood the importance of fouj, said Kumar,who comes from Agra. The NDA looked like the continuation of Sainik School. It has been a great experience. I want to serve the nation, he said. Kumars father is a head constable in UP Police while his mother is a housewife. Surprisingly,his parents could not make it to NDA to witness the proud moment as his father was on VIP duty, according to Kumar. Kumar will now be joining the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on January 11 where he will be training further before being commissioned in the Indian Army a year later. Academy Cadet Adjutant (ACA) Yogesh Dhami of Mike squadron comes from Sainik School Ghorakhal,Uttarakhand. Son of a serving soldier,Dhamis father is a Subedar in the Indian Army and belongs to second Kumaon regiment. Dhami,who always dreamt of becoming an Air Force pilot will be joining the Air Force Academy (AFA) on January 4. I have always been fascinated by aircraft, Dhami said. Squadron Cadet Captain (SCC) Suraj Ithape of Hunter squadron too is from Sainik School,Satara. Originally from a small village in Wai taluka,Ithape is the first member of the family to join the armed forces. He too gave the credit of motivating him to join the forces,to Sainik School. My days at Sainik School motivated me to join NDA, he said.
