Munish Sood
MANDI:
In a moment of pride for Himachal Pradesh, a young woman from Mandi district has been selected as a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF), securing an outstanding 12th rank at the national level in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination.
Shrejal Guleria, a resident of Paddi village in the Ratti area of Balh subdivision, achieved the feat at just 21 years of age.
Shrejal’s selection holds special significance as she carries forward a strong family legacy of service to the nation. Her father Hoshiar Singh is currently serving as a Subedar in the Army while her grandfather is also a retired serviceman. Inspired by her upbringing in a disciplined and patriotic environment, Shrejal chose the path of uniformed service at an early age, aspiring to serve the country like her forefathers.
Strong academic foundation
Shrejal completed her schooling from Class 6 to 12 at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Pandoh, where her academic consistency and leadership abilities were evident. She later moved to Delhi, pursuing BSc (Honours) in Mathematics from Delhi University.
During her postgraduate studies, she began focused preparation for the CDS examination and successfully cleared one of the country’s most competitive defence selection processes.
Her achievement stands out not only for the rank secured but also for the perseverance required to crack the examination while continuing higher education.
Family support behind success
The role of Shrejal’s family has been pivotal in her journey. While her father instilled discipline and a sense of duty, her mother Banita Kumari, who works as a clerk with the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), encouraged her to be independent and determined in pursuing her ambitions. The family attributes Shrejal’s success to collective support, clarity of purpose and sustained hard work.
Training at Air Force Academy
Shrejal left for the Air Force Academy on December 27, where she will undergo one year of intensive military and flying training. Following the successful completion of this rigorous programme, she will be formally commissioned as a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force, entrusted with the responsibility of defending the nation’s airspace.
Shrejal had earlier come into the national spotlight in June 2021 when she interacted virtually with the Prime Minister during an online programme organised after the cancellation of CBSE Class 12 examinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, she was a student of Navodaya Vidyalaya, Pandoh. During the same interaction, her grandfather also highlighted local culture by speaking about the traditional Mandiyali dish ‘Sepu Badi’, served during community feasts.
Apart from academics and defence aspirations, Shrejal has also excelled in sports. She has previously been a part of the national basketball team, reflecting her all-round abilities, physical endurance and team spirit, qualities essential for a career in the armed forces.
Shrejal Guleria’s selection has sparked a wave of celebrations across her village and the wider Balh area. Locals, educators, and well-wishers have hailed her achievement as a source of inspiration for young girls, particularly from rural and hill regions, who aspire to serve the nation through the armed forces.
