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President’s Medal at NDA
This year’s autumn term NDA passing out parade saw a historic milestone. Siddhi Jain, a cadet from the 149th course, became the first woman ever to win the President’s Medal, awarded to the cadet with top overall merit at the academy.
Before Siddhi Jain was selected for the 149th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) as part of the second batch of female cadets, she was preparing for the IIT-JEE in Kota.
The overall merit list is drawn from performance in academics, outdoor training, joint training, officer-like qualities and specialised service subjects. In this years passing out parade, the President’s Gold Medal went to Academy Cadet Adjutant Deepak Kandpal of Alpha Squadron, the President’s Silver Medal to Academy Cadet Captain Siddharth Singh of Oscar Squadron, and the President’s Bronze Medal to Divisional Cadet Captain Siddhi Jain of Kilo Squadron.
Siddhi, who will join the Air Force, said after the parade, “We have experienced many ups and downs and many moments that have created happy memories for life. The challenging training at the academy is possible only because at every stage we get guidance, mentorship, support from drill instructors, service subject instructors, academic teachers and unconditional support and love from our families. NDA teaches that military training is all about perseverance, consistency and continuity. After we were integrated with our male counterparts, we did our training not just shoulder to shoulder but also hand in hand.”
She added, “Joining the armed forces had been my childhood dream. Before the NDA had started admitting female cadets, I had decided to join an engineering course and then join the armed forces. To that end I had started preparing for the IIT-JEE and my father sent me to Kota. But meanwhile the NDA opened its doors for the women cadets. I then insisted that I will appear for NDA entrance. My family supported me during these times of uncertainties and I started preparing for the NDA entrance. This journey would not have been possible without the constant unconditional support from my family.”
Siddhi’s father, Nikhil Jain, a teacher from Ujhani in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh, said, “It is a moment of pride that Siddhi is the first female cadet to win the President’s Bronze Medal for overall order of merit. Siddhi did not succeed in the first attempt to get into the NDA but she did not lose her resolve and tried again. I am proud that my daughter is getting ready to join the service of the nation.”
