A Decision Forged in Silence

 

 

In the winter of 2002, as Shubhanshu was completing high school, he made a decision that would redefine his life. Without telling anyone, he applied to the National Defence Academy (NDA). On the day of his elder sister’s wedding—a momentous occasion in any Indian household—he quietly left home and traveled to the examination center. When his parents discovered the truth, it was too late to object. He had already taken the first step on a path few dared to tread.

“People thought I was irresponsible,” he said years later in a TV interview. “But in my mind, I was just following my calling.”

The NDA entrance examination was only the beginning. Months of rigorous screening followed—medical tests, interviews, and physical endurance evaluations. Finally, in 2003, he received the letter that changed everything: You have been selected.