National Defence Academy, the cradle of Leadership !

I grew up in a family deeply connected with the Indian Armed Forces, and personally experienced a flavour of it, as a cadet in the NCC, holding the rank and responsibility of Company Quarter Master Sergent and later Junior under officer. While I had always felt, that we as corporate citizens could take leadership lessons from the Armed Forces, I was privileged to be a part of an experience, first hand, though from a distance, taking a leaf out of the life of young cadet's as they went through the toil, discipline and rigour !

Last week, I had the most wonderful experience and almost a dream of sorts come true, as I visited "The cradle of Leadership" as it is referred to.. an institution that has seen history in the making, and ordinary boys, and now even girls, churned out into smart young officers who have and will make our country, institution and families proud. It is none other than the #NDA National Defence Academy.

I was lucky to have been given a tour across the place, and with each experience I was only overawed. The absolute expanse of the place over seven thousand acres of land, surrounded by the Sahyadri mountains, and the river, with birds, monkeys, deer cohabiting and frolicking in the same environment, seemed to give a certain character to the place. The sheer distance between the squadrons, and the mess or each of their respective classes spread across the land, made me stop and simply think of how time and resource management must be a core competence drilled in and followed by every cadet, even for the seemingly simple things of life, and so as to reach for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from wherever they were in the premises, within the short time allocated to them.

The amazing discipline with which the cycles were lined up in each of their stands, made me feel that even they had been trained to be disciplined and well turned out, facing the same direction, and uniform in nature. Discipline and structure seemed to be a part of their very being.

The crisp uniforms, and the squads in which they actually marched their way, and in formation, to wherever that they wanted to reach from their point of departure, made me actually feel why the men in uniform can walk endlessly, and they all seem to have a similar pride and manner in their strides ! Sometimes, their cycles doubled up as a buddy too. The crisp greeting offered by the cadets who passed us by, without fail and without an exception. Felt nice to have greeted them back.

The discipline to stand and wait endlessly, as a single cadet, waiting for just another buddy to form a squad to move, made me realise that there are no short cuts to anything that they do, nor excuses for those 3 years, and thereafter, for as long as they serve as officers in the Indian #Army, #Navy & #Airforce. Even in mufti's on a Sunday, at the Gole Market, the cadets moved around with discipline and marching as they went about their way.

While I always felt that soldiers, even after they retired, were hard hearted, and project an unphased exterior with any incident, I experienced sensitivity, in the institution and it's people, as I came across the memorial built for Horses, who had crossed the rainbow, and who had made the institution and their riders proud.

The one experience that actually brought a quick tear, and gave me goosebumps, and again bears testimony of how our soldiers are truly valued, was in the cadet's mess, where a well laid out table, and an empty chair, with a soul stirring REMEMBRANCE note, as a place not just reminding, but seemed to be almost waiting for those of our bravehearts who never returned from a battle, war or any brutal exchange, as they were considered lost or killed in action. Do we even do that with our own dearest family member's who have left us ? But the NDA does, not just as a routine and ritual, but I am sure, they all mean it from their hearts and souls and as an everlasting tribute to their bravehearts, who were once a part of the institution !!

I love horses, and I couldn't have gone past without visiting the Equistation area, where I met horses with different characters, up close and personal. They were just as well behaved. They gave us the opportunity to see them and watch them as they stood peacefully going about their holiday, a Sunday, with no cadets to train ! It was an experience I shall never forget. The NCO associated with them, informed us that the horse is an intelligent being, and knows his rider completely, and he is rarely wrong ! I was amused as I heard stories exchanged among a group of veterans and the NCO, as they reminisced their times and narrated stories about a funny and yet notorious horse called "Pick Pocket" !

The Sudan block had a different air about it, and looked amazing as it was lit by evening. A three storied structure made of pink Jodhpur stone, the administrative block, had an overbearing presence. It seemed like it stood tall as witness to the numerous number of cadets as they passed out, marching smartly in squadrons with dignitaries, starting with the first Prime Minister of the country, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and many others, who were present as past guests of honour. It is named Sudan Block, after the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in the Sudan Campaign during World War II.?

At the cadet's mess, a massive structure, with neatly lined up tables and chairs, I almost had a vision of the thousand's of boys and girls who must be dining there, apparently in pin drop silence and again within the allocated time. The squadron flags, the Indian flag and flags of countries where the dignitaries had visited from, gave me a feel that it was a truly a place where language, colour, religion and every other aspect of diversity just melted into a pot and the only thing that remained was the cadet, the soldier and the single objective of making him / her a sturdy, strong and resilient soldier for tomorrow !

It almost seemed like time was just a number that had passed by, and given an option, the men today, would have longed to get back to the institution that was home, family and which actually made them who they are and stand for today ! The toil, sweat, ragda, pain and tears was all well worth it, and I am sure they must still be hearing sounds of the Ustaad's or instructors in their heads, sometimes.

The most fascinating part being, and which to us as corporate citizens is a lesson, was that, with an entire day spent at the premises, nowhere did I see placards or boards that actually talk about what "Leadership" was all about. I guess, this is where Leadership becomes a way of being, and cadets take pride in showing their juniors and also getting things done from them, subtly but surely imbibing the culture, norms and of course Officer Like Qualities down the line to their juniors. It functions as a well oiled, self organised and self synchronised system. Leadership is learnt on an everyday basis as they go through life over the 3 years.

It was a day well spent and with immense learning, beautiful moments, definitely memories, and wonder and awe !

As I left, I don't know why, but there was a little something that stirred within, and I truly thought that it is indeed a crucible that has created some absolutely fine and valiant soldiers. Even in that rigour and discipline, there was something very personal in the air, and my heart reached out. Somewhere I also felt proud to know that the first batch of female cadets will be passing out this year. They seem to have broken every glass ceiling in a sense possible, as they have undergone the same training that the male cadets have, and are performing just as well, if not better !

I pray and wish that the NDA only grows, and continues to create soldiers for whom, NAAM, NAMAK & NISHAN will always hold ultimate pride and priority !

Jai Hind