NDA joins in rhapsody

PUNE: To deliver at the crunch is the forte of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, here. And when the heat was on, the product of this prestigious institution delivered. Major Rajyavardhan Rathore, who clinched a historic shooting silver at the Olympic Games in Athens on Tuesday, is a product of NDA and the cadets are now celebrating his historic achievement.
Rathore was a Cadet Sergeant Major (CSM) of Echo Squadron of the 77th Course (passed out in December 1989).He was a keen sportsman and won a blazer in volleyball.
His junior in the same squadron, Major P.S. Dhaliwal, who is posted as Squadron Commander of Delta Squadron at NDA, said: "We saw winning characteristics in him since then. He was our athletics captain, always worked hard and won us many titles. As a CSM, he was always focused and dedicated."
Even at Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, he calibre and passed out with a Sword of Honour (a rarity) before being commissioned into 9 Grenadiers where he took up shooting.
His performance took him to the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) at Mhow (Madhya Pradesh) where he decided to concentrate on the sport. He then moved to Grenadiers.
Captain Rohit Gulati said that cadets at NDA, especially the Echo Squardon, where he was groomed, were extremely happy for Rathore.