It was a day to remember, it was a day to rejoice. It was a lifetime opportunity. The motivation level, energy, enthusiasm and ‘Josh’, all went high when 30 students from “Tetso Mountaineering Club” of Tetso College travelled to Kohima to see a living legend and hear from him. Rains, bad weather, paucity of time – nothing could stop these future pillars of our country from taking out time and reaching out to Assam Rifles for an interaction with Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav Param Vir Chakra who was on a visit to Kohima with North East Car Rally called ‘Parikrama’. He is the youngest recipient of the highest Gallantry Award (ParamVir Chakra) of the country and he was awarded for his superlative bravery during the Kargil War.
The youth were awe-struck as the brave soldier narrated his first-hand account of the extremely dangerous and difficult situations of the war and how he overcame them with his grit and determination. Having been shot with 17 bullets in his arm and leg, how he managed to inflict casualties to the enemy and still survive for his nation, was an absolute inspiration for the young boys and girls of Tetso College. He motivated them to face all the challenges of their lives and rise up again and again, should they fall anytime. The event was coordinated by Kohima Battalion of Assam Rifles.
As a memory from the Land of Festivals, Nagaland, the students presented a Naga shawl to the legend, and were honoured when he presented a memento to them. The event saw a cake cutting jointly by the students and the Car Rally participants including Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav, ParamVir Chakra. As he cheered ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, everyone joined him with full energy that resonated in the air and was worth experiencing. The high ‘josh’ of the students was evident when they clicked ‘selfies’ with their role model and asked him various questions about the challenges he faced in the face of the enemy. As they bid him goodbye and moved back to their College, they carried with them memories that would last a lifetime… motivated… for a bright career and a bright future.
(Contributed by Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Professor of Political Science & International Law, Department of Political Science, Tetso College)