MANGALDAI, Dec 14 - �What is SSB interview for NDA entrance ?�, �Is it necessary to have a science background to qualify for NDA�, �to what do you attribute your success�, � What is your single point goal at present�, these questions were asked by a section of curious students to Avinash Chhetry, the first ever youth from Assam in the 61-year glorious history of National Defence Academy, who this year won the President gold medal as the best cadet in all round performance.
Avinash who arrived here for the first time from Pune, Maharshtra after his remarkable achievement was interacting with the students of Brilliant Academy, a local co-educational private junior college here on Tuesday.
Spending two hours among the students, Avinash said that army is not simply a profession, it is a way of life. Appealing to the students to choose a career in the Indian Army as an officer, he turned down the common thought that life in army is very tough and risky and said , �It is quite wrong to think that the life in army is very tough which I myself thought before I joined the NDA. You just keep in your mind that if many can do before then why not me! Life becomes easier after three months,� he added.
Stressing on the need of removing from the mindset of the youths of Assam of becoming either a doctor or an engineer and then passing time in uncertainty, regarding suitable placements, Avinash reiterated, �Once I joined NDA, I was assured of becoming a gazeted army officer at the age of only 21 and everything in my career is certain and crystal clear.� �As an army officer you can explore the entire world, you would gather countless experiences and make friends. You can enjoy a life that no other can,� he concluded.
Earlier on behalf of Brilliant Academy, its director Ritwik Choudhury, rector Anil Sharma and principal Jamuna Saharia Kalita in presence of Avinash�s mother Anjana Chhetry greeted Avinash with a traditional sarai, gamosa and a citation. Prior to that senior journalist Bharagab Kr Das gave a brief account of the career and achievements of Avinash Chhetry. It may be mentioned here that Avinash is the elder of the two sons of Purna Bahadur Chhetry, presently serving as the Assistant Director in Bureau of Police Research and Development in New Delhi on deputation, originally hailing from Sapakhowa village in Sadiya and his wife Anjana Chhetry of Chandmari, Tezpur.