Kajal Rai Sadana of Mandi commissioned as Lieutenant in Army

MANDI: Kajal Rai Sadana of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh has become a Lieutenant in the Army after a year of rigorous training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. She was commissioned on International Women’s Day.

Kajal’s parents Bhupendra Sadana and Anjana Sadana, along with her younger brother Ashutosh Sadana, attended the proud moment. She has been assigned her first posting in Sikkim.

Kajal’s journey was not easy as she attempted the SSC exam twice but was unsuccessful. However, on her third attempt, not only did she clear the exam, but she also secured the top rank in the country.

Her parents credit her unwavering dedication and hard work for this achievement, expressing immense pride in her success.

Other officers commissioned from Himachal

Along with Kajal, Mandi College’s NCC Air Wing cadets, Senior Under Officer Pankaj Kumar and Cadet Warrant Officer Vinay Thakur, were also commissioned as Lieutenants in the Army after their passing-out parade in Chennai.

Both are former students of Vallabh College and ex-cadets of Himachal Pradesh Air Squadron NCC. Lieutenant Pankaj Kumar hails from Courtmor Dhuma Devi near Mandi and his father Diwan Thakur is a social worker and horticulturist.

Rural youth shine in armed forces

Rahul Acharya from Kharanal panchayat in Paprola has also been commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Army’s Corps of Engineers. He participated in the passing-out parade held at Captain MV Pranjal Stadium in OTA-Gaya.

His father Anuj Acharya, a retired Army man, lecturer and writer, and mother Varsha Acharya placed the stars on his shoulders. Rahul represents the third generation of his family serving in the armed forces.

During the grand ceremony at OTA-Gaya, Rahul’s parents were honoured with a pride medal, recognising their family’s legacy of military service.

Sunil Chadha