From Garages to the Skies: Flying Officer Sudarshan Pradhan’s Journey of Grit and Glory
Reported by Akshata Pawar
Darjeeling, 14th June 2025: Flying Officer Sudarshan Pradhan, a proud son of Darjeeling, has been commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking the culmination of a journey defined by perseverance, sacrifice, and an unyielding dream.
Originally aspiring to become an automobile engineer and uplift the underprivileged in his community, Sudarshan’s path took a transformative turn when he joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during his B.Tech studies in Bangalore. Inspired by the values of discipline and service, and driven by his grandfather’s dream, he developed a deep sense of pride for the Indian Armed Forces.
Facing repeated rejections at the Services Selection Board (SSB), he stood undeterred. With the pressure of a student loan and the need to support his family, he took up a modest job at an automobile service center in Sikkim. Yet, his passion for the uniform never faded.
His persistence bore fruit when he was selected for both the Officers Training Academy (OTA) and the Air Force Academy (AFA). Though he initially joined OTA, Sudarshan ultimately chose to serve in the skies, earning his commission as a Flying Officer in the IAF.
His story stands as a testament to resilience, patriotism, and the power of unwavering determination.
