LUCKNOW: For Lucknow’s Khushi Srivastava, it will be a dream come true and a pround moment when she will participate in the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in Delhi on January 26.
Khushi is the only cadet from Lucknow to be selected for the 200-strong National Cadet Corps (NCC) contingent drawn from various parts of the country for the Republic Day parade. Total 13 cadets – nine girls and four boys – have been selected from Uttar Pradesh.
A BSc final year student of Isabella Thoburn (IT) College, Khushi is an Under Officer (UO) in the senior wing (girls) NCC Cadet of 19 UP Girls Battalion.
“My dream is finally about to become a reality. It will be a great honour for me to represent Lucknow at the national level,” said Kushi, while talking to TOI over the phone. “Consistent training and practice helped me pass the four stages of tough competition in the selection process,” she added.
Khushi said she had trying for it for the last few years and was selected for the R-Day parade in her final year.
She aspires to serve the country by joining the armed forces as an officer. A resident of Thakurganj, Khushi completed her schooling from Chowk branch of the City Montessori School.
“NCC is considered a tough choice for a girl. The thought that it is difficult makes it more interesting. I participated in Thal Sainik Camp last year which gave me exposure to the salient aspects of army training, generated a competitive spirit, and fostered a sense of discipline and leadership. I decided to apply for Republic Day Camp as it’s the most prestigious camp in NCC,” she said.
Giving the credit of success to her parents, Khushi said, “It was the consistent support from my parents which helped me pursue my goal and serve the country. They helped me to stay focused and achieve the accomplishment.”
UP Girls’ Contingent Officer Lt Reeta Nigam, who is an associate professor of law at Agra College and Company Commander of the girl battalion at the institute, said: “Girls include three from Agra, two from Bareilly and one each from Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Aligarh and Prayagraj.” UP Directorate Contingent Commander, Col SK Mishra, said, “Four boy cadets who have been selected for the RD parade include three from Agra and one from Gorakhpur.”