Goan techie ditches IT job to soldier on

PANAJI: For Shrimaan Pednekar, 24, life might have appeared like a dream come true-a software engineer with a job just 26 km from his home in Porvorim, 9am to 6pm working hours, a comfortable salary and the benefit of living with his family.
That apparently was not his ideal and the youth decided to give it all up for a job that is in complete contrast to his cozy existence. While Goans are generally known to shy away from joining the armed forces, Pednekar quit his IT job in November 2012, joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in January 2013 and last month passed out as a lieutenant.
"Even while in college, I went out of my way to get an insight into the armed forces. My institute Padre Conceicao College of Engineering (PCCE) did not offer National Cadet Corps (NCC) service, so I took a no objection certificate from my college and joined NCC at St Xavier's College in Mapusa. I would make it a point to attend these classes conducted on Sundays, even through the busy assignment schedule in an engineering college," Pednekar told TOI.
His social worker father Dnyaneshwar and mother Sunita, employed in the postal services, always encouraged their son to pursue his dream and even after starting work as a senior software engineer in a IT firm, the thought of deserting his dream of joining the army didn't occur to Pednekar.
"It was always at the back of my mind that I have an unfulfilled dream. While working I began preparing for my combined defense services examination (CDSE) and service selection board (SSB) exam but I was not able to clear the SSB interview on three occasions," Pednekar said.
He eventually met of Colonel D C Dogra (retd) through a friend and sought his help to get through the qualifying exams. "He motivated me and brought me to a completely different level and helped me clear the next SSB attempt with ease," Pednekar said.
His father said, "Right from his childhood he has been really disciplined and has given importance to pursuing his dream more than money. On the day we went to watch his passing out parade in Dehradun, he made us feel extremely proud."
The army man's mother said her son's diligence and obedient nature mean that he was cut out for the job in the Army.
"The reactions from relatives and friend on my joining the army were mixed. Some did not want me to join because I was doing well in the software industry and had a bright future, while others were happy that I chose to pursue my dream," Pednekar said.
On the threshold of beginning his career in the army, Pednekar is overcome by excitement.
"I can feel that sense of respect from everyone around me. It's a proud feeling doing the best thing one can do for the country by serving in the Indian Army," Pednekar said.