By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 1 Sept: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today urged cadets of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), here, to embody the institution’s ideals of strength and wisdom to fight life’s major battles. He stated, “Strength and wisdom create a strong combination that provides invincibility in the face of challenges.”
Emphasising the need to prioritise the nation’s interests above all circumstances, the Vice President said, “Serve the country with pride and fearlessness! Mother India is waiting for you. The future of the nation rests on your shoulders. Always prioritise national interest. Your conduct should be an example of discipline, etiquette, and empathy.”
Addressing the cadets, the Vice President urged RIMC alumni and the community to act as think tanks and instil a sense of nationalism in the youth and to take action against those who are unaware of the ground reality and do not recognise India’s unique economic growth, development journey, and progress on the global stage.”
Recalling Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s speech to RIMC cadets on 10 December 1962, Vice President Dhankhar reiterated, “The earth belongs to the brave, to those with strength in their souls, not to the lazy and incompetent. In this great world of competition and rivalry, we must live with self-discipline and sacrifice. Embrace these great ideals in life.”
Encouraging cadets to stand firm even in times of difficulty, Dhankhar said, “My dear young cadets, in your personal and professional journeys, you will face moments that will test you. There will be days when your patience will wane and exhaustion will increase. You will all face your struggles but remember that those who confront challenges and take risks in adverse conditions are the ones who represent courage, initiative and leadership.”
Highlighting the fear of failure as the biggest barrier to growth, Dhankhar advised cadets, “Never fear failure in life; it is a step towards success. The feeling of fear hinders the use of your talent and the realisation of your potential. Always remember, fear is a necessary part of our journey of growth.”
Referring to the success story of the Chandrayaan mission, he said, “Remember the historic Chandrayaan mission! Chandrayaan 2 was partially successful but not fully. For some, it was a failure, and for the wise, it was a step towards success. On August 23 of the previous year, Chandrayaan 3 landed on the moon’s southern pole, making India the first nation to achieve this feat.”
Praising the recruitment of girls in RIMC and military schools, Dhankhar noted that these steps represent significant progress towards gender equality and justice. “Our women are fighter pilots, commanding space missions, and breaking every barrier. Reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will undoubtedly be a game-changer,” the Vice President added.
The event was also attended by Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), RIMC Commandant Colonel Rahul Agrawal, cadets, faculty, and other dignitaries.
