Seven ‘sibling squads’ set a new trend at NDA, make training fun

Seniors of the Lima Squadron of the 121st course at the National Defence Academy do not trouble cadet Rahul Bhandari of Mike Squadron, 124th course. The reason, his elder brother Squadron Cadet Captain (SCC) Manoj Bhandari is in their Lima Squadron.

Like the Bhandari brothers, the NDA now has six other pairs of brothers in various courses, squadrons and wings of the academy.

D Sai Krishna of the 121st course, Oscar Squadron will pass out of NDA on November 29, but what adds to memories of his days at NDA and its tough military training was the comfort of having younger brother Sai Kiran of the 122nd course, Delta Squadron, around.

"We do not have any military background. My father is a revenue inspector and I am the first to join the academy. Seeing the changes in me, my brother joined the academy," said D Sai Krishna. Not only do the Sai brothers meet each other on Sundays and holidays, but the elder one ensures that the younger faces no trouble either in academics or elsewhere.

Having a brother around at the academy is good, it seems. The Singh brothers, for instance run together on the periphery road and bring soft drink Rasna and sugar alternatively to enjoy a cool refreshment in the sun. "They dislike seeing each other getting punished," a course mate said. In times when parents are reluctant to send even one of their sons to the Armed Forces, it's commendable to find parents opting to send two sons to be part of the Armed Forces.

"I was in Sainik School Lucknow and joining the Army was an obvious choice. My brother was inclined to do engineering, but developed a liking for the forces after seeing me. Initially, our parents were against this, but now they are all right with the idea," said Cadet Nitesh Kumar Srivastava of 123rd course, Oscar Squadron, who is from from Gorakhpur. His brother cadet Ashutosh Srivastava belongs to 124th course, Foxtrot. "They motivate each other during cross country, Sinhagad hikes and so on," course mates say with a grin.

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