Tribune News Service,Dehradun, December 12

Academy Under Officer (AUO) Lalit Thapliyal, the winner of the Sword of Honour, says youths should come forward in a large number to join Indian defence forces. Thapliyal is a Rimcollian, a former student of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), and his father DN Thapliyal was vice-principal of the RIMC. He is from Dehradun. His elder sister, Capt Swarnima Thapliyal, is the person behind his success, he adds.Thapliyal says rigorous training in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) makes Gentleman Cadets mentally and physically tough and helps them to overcome any challenge. He dedicates the award to his parents and says hard work with determinations always helps in achieving goals.The gold medal awardee, AUO Abhishek Kumar Singh, is from Uttar Pradesh. He has done his schooling from Sainik School, Gorhakhal, Uttarakhand. The only son in the family, Abhishek wanted to join the Indian Army in deference to his father’s earnest desire.The silver medal awardee, GC Iqbal Singh, is from Amritsar. He says his father retired Subedar Santokh Singh was his source of inspiration to join Army. Iqbal resigned from a renowned IT company to join the Army.Another silver medal awardee, Battalion Under Officer Ravi Somanagouda Mulimani did his schooling from Sainik School, Bijapur, Karnataka. He says there are many misconceptions about the Indian Army. The Army service is a noble profession. Ravi has no Army background but it was his childhood dream to join the Army as he was always attracted to the olive green uniform.