With flying colours, they march into defence forces

PUNE: For Battalion Cadet Captain S.Saikiran, time seemed to stand still. “I don’t feel anything,�he said, clearly overwhelmed. This was minutes after he received thePresident’s Gold Medal for standing first in the 105th course of theNational Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, on Saturday. Even as theHyderabad-born Saikiran was talking, the other Kirans’ were also flyinghigh — with colours. The nine-aircraft team of Suryakirans was performingan aerobatic show. On Friday, Saikiran was awarded the Chief ofNaval Staff Trophy for standing first in the overall Order of Merit in academicsand the Commandant’s Silver Medal for standing first in the computerscience stream. “It’s indeed an honour for me. I alwayswanted to be in the defence forces and I had to quit my engineering course.Nonetheless it’s my greatest achievement,� Saikiran said. The silvermedal for standing second in the overall order of merit, went to anotherbattalion cadets, Captain S.K. Mohapatra. “There’s noshortcut on the way to success. I’m thrilled and wish my mom washere,� he said. He said that hard work paid rich dividends.“My only aim when I was young was to join the defence forces,even though my parents were not quite willing then.� For many elated armyofficers, it was a special occasion as they watched their sons go through thislast ritual, just as they had, many years ago. “It takes meback to June 1961, when I was standing where you are now, listening to theaddress of the reviewing officer with lots of hope, enthusiasm andexpectations,� said Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Madhavendra Singh.Indeed, many an eye glistened as proud parents, relatives andfriends watched their dear ones bid farewell to the academy, ready to undertakethe responsibility of protecting their country.