Pune: NDA Pays Homage To Fallen Alumni In Last One Month
Mubarak Ansari
Khadakwasla, 7th October 2021: The National Defence Academy (NDA) paid homage to four officers who lost their lives in the last one month.
A wreath-laying ceremony was organized on Wednesday in honour of Lieutenant Commander Rajnikant Yadav, Lieutenant Commander Yogesh Tiwari, Lieutenant Commander Anant Kukreti and Maj Anuj Rajput.
Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, Commandant of NDA, paid homage to the deceased officers at the Hut of Remembrance, along with other officers, civilian instructors and cadets of the Academy.
Lt Cdr Rajnikant Yadav of 120 Course, D Squadron, Lt Cdr Yogesh Tiwari of 120 Course, O Squadron and Lt Cdr Anant Kukreti of 121 Course, H Squadron were alumnus of the National Defence Academy and commissioned into the Executive Branch of Indian Navy. They were not only seasoned mountaineers but also winners of several challenging and prestigious marathons/ultra marathons, participants of multi dimensional marathons, endurance cyclists, trek enthusiasts and adventure sports enthusiasts.
The officers were part of a 20-member expedition that was flagged off at Mumbai on 03 September to climb Mt Trishul (7,120 m). They were caught in the avalanche near the summit on 02 Oct 21.
NDA fraternity also paid homage to Major Anuj Rajput who died in a helicopter crash near Patni Top in Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir on 22 September. Maj Anuj Rajput was an alumnus of 126 NDA Course, M Squadron. After passing out from the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned in the Indian Army and opted for Army Aviation. He was awarded, the Silver Cheetah Trophy during his initial flying course.
Today, as they were paid homage name with full military honours in the sacred Hut of Remembrance, these young men would continue to inspire future generations of NDA cadets. The NDA fraternity offers heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in their hour of grief.
The ‘Hut of Remembrance’ at NDA is a sublime cenotaph that commemorates the sacrifice of ex-NDA officers who lay down their lives in the line of duty.
