Ever since I stepped in to a military school, I have been hearing about NDA. I became so obsessive with it that a visit to NDA had found its place on to my bucket list. So, when my husband asked me if I would love to watch the Passing Out Parade of the Cadets in this esteemed academy, I went mad with joy.
NDA, or National Defence Academy, located near Khadakwasala, Pune is a Joint Service Academy where the cadets of the three services,, Army, Navy and Air Force are trained before they go for their pre-commissioning training to their respective academies. I had goosebumps when I stepped foot in it and the feeling of reverence and respect was beyond describable.
In 1941, India received a generous amount from the Sudanese government to build a war memorial in recognition to the sacrifices of Indian troops in the liberation of Sudan in the East African Campaign during World War II. Thus came, the Sudan Block- the administrative quarters of the NDA, into existence. A pic in front of the Sudan Block was a long cherished dream and yes, I have got it.
When your husband says, he was in Panther Squadron, do not mistake it to P Squadron. It is in fact, Panther! Their Squadron is like a home away from home – for three years.
When he goes on and on about the P.T., games, parade, trench digging, swimming, horse-riding, night firing and patrolling among a thousand other stories from the academy, you cannot but look at him in awe.
The Cadets’ Mess is one of the epitome of unity, comradeship and brotherhood among cadets. Your heart grieves when you see a sadly kept empty table with a chair that leans against it in a forlorn manner at the entrance of the mess. This is the seat of those Alumni of the Academy who are listed as Missing in Action or were taken Prisoners of War and did not return.
I can go on and on about how each of the cadets look exactly the same in their training gear or in white t-shirts and shorts, about their stories of survival, of the punishment days or the Gol Market where you get absolutely anything required, or the lawns of the NDA Ball or the revered NDA Passing Out Parade- the culminating event of another successful term. Held at the Khetarpal Parade Ground, comprising over one thousand participating cadets bidding farewell to their senior colleagues, there is a masterly display of drill movements, synchronised with the accompanying band ingrains long lasting memories in participants as well as viewers. The haunting strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ leaves you bedazzled.
Three years ago, he had stepped foot into this academy as a boy, skeptical most of the times. As he leaves the institution, he is now a young gentleman strong in body and mind, confident and assured and proud of values imbibed.
NDA- a place where they makes a man out of you.
I am Married to the Olive Green and I’m writing about the 26 things which I get to do/experience that you as a Civilian wife do not!
I hope you come back again tomorrow!
Meanwhile, here is an easy Chicken recipe from my Food Blog to try out!
I’m on co-host Pam’s Unconventional Alliance Team along with Parul from Happiness and Food, Rajlakshmi from The Twinkle Eyed Traveler andDestiny’s Child and Claire from A Field Trip Life
Sources: Wikipedia, NDA Website and my memories 🙂
BellyBytes says
Oh watching out this passing out parade always brings tears to my eyes. These dashing young men in uniform look so valorous and earnest….
Dahlia says
You described it all so well 🙂
debraj moulick says
Lovely 😀
kalaravi16 says
A true pride and joy of our country, the NDA, that grooms so many heroes! Lucky you got to witness the passing out ceremony. What an honor to watch these driven young lads march to manhood towards a life of service to the motherland! Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this Shalini.
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
Roshan Radhakrishnan says
I studied relatively nearby to Khadakwasala for my pg and visited the area around it once.
As for the NDA, I think you nailed it in that one sentence – makes men out of boys.
Mithila Menezes @Fabulus1710 says
They show glimpses of this training in movies and all, but you have brought out so many other memories and scenes from the training camp !
Cafenined Words says
Good one .
NDA makes the man out of us ..that was wow factor .
Discipline brings life to perfection.
@dixita011 from
Cafenined words
Kalpanaa says
Yes I believe that every army person’s NDA days are hight on their list of good memories.
Rajlakshmi says
I totally agree on how each cadet look the same in their training gear. I had hard time recognising my brother from his passing out parade photos.
The one about the empty chairs … that just broke my heart. So much handwork, dedication and sacrifice goes into maintaining peace at our borders. Irony!!
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
My Era says
Watching the young soldiers march with pride would be a memory to cherish and an emotional high even for a civilian like you.
The closing line said it all 🙂
Reema D'souza (@ReemaMichelle) says
Wow that would have been a wonderful experience indeed- seeing so many young soldiers graduating!
Sweety (Kokiash2015) says
I have visited this place once 🙂
CM says
They step in as boys , step out as men. You brought so many memories back — my father was posted in pune and I studied at a KV in NDA and used to cross those guys training every morning.
The passing out parade gave me goose bumps. Incredibly proud to be an army kid 🙂
My fav post so far in the series.
Pam Margolis (@Pamlovesbooks) says
It’s very similar here too. Gets you right in the feels.
MusafirHunYaaron says
One of my bucket list entry is visit to IMA
Soumya Prasad says
There is something really sexy about a man in a uniform and NDA is a place filled with them. I need to visit it someday 😉
Vinay Leo R. says
Beautiful, vivid description of a dream visit coming true, alle? 🙂