M. S. Nazki
At its core, purpose is the belief that what we do matters beyond ourselves. Passion, meanwhile, is the force that keeps us moving when the journey turns hard. Together, they define lives of meaning—and nowhere is this union more visible than in the profession of arms.
That spirit was on full display at the 157th Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where tradition, discipline, and military splendour converged on the historic Drill Square. The ceremony marked the commissioning of Officer Cadets into the Indian Army, reflecting the Academy’s timeless motto: Valour and Wisdom. It was not merely a parade—it was the culmination of years of sacrifice, training, and relentless self-belief.
Reviewing the parade, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, congratulated the newly commissioned officers and reminded them that soldiering is far more than an occupation. It is a sacred calling—one that demands selfless service, absolute commitment, and, when required, the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. He paid tribute to the Indian Military Academy’s illustrious legacy of producing leaders who have consistently upheld the highest traditions of courage, honour, and integrity.
The ceremony was witnessed by proud parents, families, senior Army officers, and distinguished guests. It concluded with the time-honoured Antim Pag—the final step—symbolising the cadets’ transition from training to responsibility, from aspiration to duty. They marched forward ready to defend the sovereignty, honour, and ideals of India.
Purpose, however, is rarely born overnight. For many, it begins in childhood.
Stories of children inspired by the Indian Army—whether through growing up in cantonments, watching soldiers at work, or hearing tales of bravery—form a quiet but powerful narrative. Army children, often called “Fauji kids,” grow up to the sound of the bugle, see discipline as a way of life, and learn early that service comes before self. Their playgrounds are parade grounds; their lessons are shaped by sacrifice.
One such recurring story is that of a village boy—call him Arjun—who dreams of the Army after seeing soldiers protect his home. He joins the National Cadet Corps, learns discipline, resilience, and leadership, and eventually earns his commission, carrying the Tricolour forward with pride. Another tells of a young girl raised amid uncertainty and conflict, who learns courage from her soldier parent and decides to serve the nation herself. These are not romantic fantasies; they are lived realities.
What binds these stories is a common thread: effort.
Talent matters—but effort matters more. Many who wear the uniform come from humble backgrounds, overcoming financial hardship, repeated failure, and physical exhaustion. Some train before dawn and after dusk. Others work demanding jobs while preparing for selection, running miles after long shifts, refusing to quit. They polish shoes, maintain routines, fall, rise, and try again.
Failure does not deter them; it sharpens them.
The Indian Army is not just a career—it is a way of life. Cantonments become home, fellow soldiers become family, and the nation becomes a shared responsibility. This sense of belonging fosters an unshakeable pride and a deep-rooted commitment to something larger than oneself.
History, too, reminds us of this spirit.
During India’s freedom struggle, ordinary men and women became flag-bearers of extraordinary courage. The Tricolour was not merely fabric—it was identity, resistance, and hope. To hoist it was to risk everything. Those who did so understood that courage was not about survival alone, but about standing for truth even in the face of loss.
That legacy continues today—not only in uniformed soldiers, but in every citizen who carries the nation’s values forward through action.
Because purpose without effort is hollow. Skill without discipline is wasted potential.
As the saying goes: Without effort, your skill is nothing more than what you could have done—but didn’t. You may be more talented, smarter, or stronger. But when it comes to endurance, to showing up every day, to refusing to be outworked—that is where destinies are forged.
Purpose gives you the direction.
Passion gives you the fire.
Effort ensures you reach the destination.
And in the profession of arms, that destination is service—uncompromising, selfless, and absolute.
