Chd cadets best in country at nat’l Republic Day Camp

Chandigarh: Two Chandigarh cadets — Aryata Ahuja and Mehak Thakur — were adjudged the best in the country at the prestigious National Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2026. Both of them are naval cadets and bring home both the junior and senior Best Cadet titles.Aryata and Mehak received the coveted medal and baton from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the PM's Rally held at Delhi Cantt. Representing the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh NCC Directorate, the duo competed against more than 2,000 chosen cadets from across India during the month-long national camp.Aryata is a class 9 student at Carmel Convent School, and Mehak is a graduate student at PGGC-11. This double win is considered a milestone, as both national-level awards in the naval wing were bagged by cadets from the same city.For Aryata, this success followed her previous ‘best cadet' award at the Annual Training Camp in Ropar. She is a consistent top-three ranker in school, a Bharatnatyam dancer, a piano player, and a red belt in Taekwondo. Her parents, both doctors at PGI, noted that she achieved her long-held goal through sincerity and willpower.Speaking about her experience, Aryata said, "The camp provided a different perspective, where cadets from directorates across India converged, interacted, and showed their mettle in various events. There were regular events and visits by distinguished personalities, including the Vice-President, defence minister, Service Chiefs, defence secretary, and other decorated achievers, which helped us gain exposure to the routines and duties of defence personnel."