The family background does have a strong bearing on one’s choice of career. This fact was aptly reflected by top performers of 136 Regular Course, 119 Technical Graduate Course (TGC) and 23 University Entry Scheme (UES) who passed out from IMA on Saturday. Four out of top performers of the course are from families of armed forces personnel. Father of Ishan Shinghal, the recipient of coveted sword of honour, Anup Shinghal is a serving Brigadier in the Indian Army.
Talking with the mediapersons, Ishan said the army was the best profession of the world. He also said the training imparted at IMA was the best in the world which was why the army of country was capable to deal with insurgents, militants and any foreign adversary. SK Pathak, father of Ajay Kumar Pathak, the recipient of Gold Medal in overall order of merit, is also serving Army personnel and is currently posted as Havildar at Jodhpur. Inspired by duo of father and son, Mandwi, the sister of Ajay, too expressed her wish to join army.
The recipient of Bronze Medal Naveen Janu too was inspired by his father Bharat Bhushan who is a serving Brigadier in the Indian Army. In reply to a question, Naveen said the positive pressure of doing well in course of the training always remained on the young officers. The best performer in the Technical Graduate Course (TGC), Anshumann Bisht also belongs to a family of servicemen. His father Chandan Singh Bisht had retired as Colonel from Indian Army.
The only exception was Silver Medal recipient Ashish Kapoor who belongs to a family of farmers of Kurushetra district in Haryana. His father said Ashish had become first army officer from their village Pihowa. When contacted, Brigadier RS Rawat (Rtd) said the children of servicemen closely watch the life of their fathers. Consequently, the qualities which are needed to become army officers are inculcated in them right from the beginning. He added that with better pay and perks, the job of army officer is turning attractive to the youngsters nowadays.