“When in school, essays titled ‘The Best Day in My Life’ was among my favourites. I would write about different days, but today, I really want to pen down December 12, 2009, as the best day of my life,” says Ravi Shukla, son of a farmer from a small village in Lakhimpur Kheri, who received the coveted Sword of Honour and the President’s Medal for the Best Cadet at the Indian Military Academy’s (IMA) passing out parade last week.
From among 535 gentleman cadets, 22-year-old Lieutenant Ravi was chosen to receive the top honours on December 12.
“I knew that I was among the top three cadets, but the President’s Gold Medal and the Sword of Honour were indeed something that gave me a happy surprise,” said Ravi, while speaking to The Indian Express over telephone.
Commissioned in the 6 Kumaon Regiment, Ravi is not just the first in his family to join the Indian Army, but also the first from the Baraula village.
For the 1,800-odd villagers here, Ravi is a hero. Pramod Kumar Sharma, a neighbour whom Ravi calls his guide and who helped him prepare for the competition, said: “We have never had anyone from the village make it to the Indian Army in the past, leave alone winning the top honours. Ravi has not just made his family proud, but also his entire village.”
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Having nursed the dream of being in the Indian Army since schooldays, Ravi made all efforts to join the UP Sainik School at Kanpur after passing Class VIII from St Don Bosco School in Lakhimpur district on the India-Nepal border.
“Even when he did not make it to the Sainik School, he kept alive the dream of joining the Army. It is his hard work, blessings of the entire village and destiny which helped him make it to the IMA and win the honours,” said Badshah Shukla, the proud father who owns 13 acres of land in the village.
In addition to Badshah, Ravi’s family comprises Devki (mother), sisters Sadhna and Prarthana and brother Pradeep, all elder to him.
Incidentally, Ravi could not make it to the Academy in his first attempt even when he had passed the exam. “When the call came, he was busy with his intermediate exams. The second time too, he passed the competition but when the call came, the date clashed with his sister Sadhna’s wedding. He requested for more time. A few days later, another call letter came and we sent him to the Academy,” said his father.
Also having aced the IIT-JEE, Ravi was in two minds about joining the NDA. “Both letters came almost simultaneously. Perhaps the dream of being a soldier was much stronger and finally, it was the Indian Army where I found my calling,” says Ravi.
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