Matter of pride: NDA Commandant

Pune: The four IAF fighter pilots selected for ‘Gaganyaan’ mission are alumni of the National Defence Academy (NDA). PM Modi on Tuesday bestowed astronaut wings to these pilots in Kerala. Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA), said, “It is indeed a matter of immense pride for the NDA that all the four astronauts (Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla) have passed out from academy.” He said, “This unique achievement in pursuit of our country’s maiden manned mission is yet another milestone crossed by the NDA cadets in conquering uncharted territory and bringing laurels to our nation, as was done by NDA alumni, Sqn Ldr (later Wing Commander) Rakesh Sharma, Ashoka Chakra.” — Sandip Dighe
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