Even the news of his father’s death did not deter Senior Cadet Captain Shantam Rastogi from performing his duty. His father’s dream of watching him participate in the Republic Day Parade in Delhi kept Rastogi going even after he was informed of his father’s death of January 22. To fulfill his father’s dream, he decided to stay on and participate in the parade.

Rastogi was one of the cadets who were felicitated at Army Parade Ground on Wednesday for participating in the Republic Day Parade.

“My father had always nurtured the dream of me being a part of the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath. After receiving the news, I even had reserved a ticket to return home. But his dream stopped me. Moreover, if I would have backed out at that time, the entire rhythm of my contingent would have been disturbed as I was leading the march. So, I decided to stay on,” said Rastogi. A third-year student of Bachelor of Science from Shia Degree College, Rastogi dedicates to his success to his father.

At the Republic Day Parade this year, the state broke its previous records by bagging five trophies for the first time and emerging winners in the camp activities. Also, after a decade, Uttar Pradesh was ranked third out of the 17 competing Directorates on the basis of the competitions held round the year.

Apart from awarding a cash prize of Rs 1,000 to the cadets participating in the Republic Day contingent, those who were part of the Guard of Honour received an additional Rs 500 by the state government. Cadet Sweta Kumari Agarwal, who won gold in Horse Riding, Cadet Anoop Kumar Singh who was awarded silver medal in the All-India Air Wing competition and Under Officer Ravinder Singh, who won Bronze in Horse Riding received a cash prize of Rs 7,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively.

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