by Leo D’Souza for BIS Mumbai

On 24 September 2024, Don Bosco Junior College in Yerwada, Pune, hosted a special Career Counselling session for students in collaboration with Ayaansh Leadership Academy. Three knowledgeable speakers, Major General (Dr.) Ajay Pal Singh, Cdr. Sarang Galande, and Lt. Cdr. Ansaree Begum, marched with confidence and enthusiasm to encourage the students to pursue careers in the armed forces. Mr Leo D'Souza extended a warm welcome as he introduced the guests. 

The seminar, led by Major General Dr Ajay Pal Singh, Vishisht Seva Medal (Retd), an Indian Army veteran and specialist in artillery weapon systems with 38 years of experience, allowed students to explore their potential to serve the country by enlisting in the armed forces. He is an alumni of Sainik School and the National Defence Academy, Pune. His vast experience in the Medium Regiment, Nuclear Missile Brigade and Artillery Division equipped with Brahmos Missile and SMERCH Pinaka Rocket System helped students understand the scope of this field.  Students were initially introduced to the types of armed forces and the latest innovative career paths. They were given detailed instructions on the procedure to join the Armed Forces through UPSC and non-UPSC backgrounds. The students' eyes welled up with tears as they heard about personal wartime experiences at Kargil. 

The next session was led by Commander Sarang Galande (Retd), a veteran with 24 years in the Indian Navy and a graduate of Fergusson College and the Naval Academy. Besides being a fighter pilot with nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare (NBC) training, he also counselled students on the examinations and qualification rounds for the armed forces. He shared his unique experiences, particularly as a ship commander at INLCU L35, and encouraged students to dream big. The students were then given an overview of the Services Selection Board (SSB), personality development, discipline, and the significance of speaking English. In order to inculcate in the students the values of discipline, determination, and hard work, a variety of life skills were thoroughly discussed.

Following a brief interval, Lt. Commander Ansaree Begum (Retd), a 16-year veteran of the Indian Navy and alumni of the Naval Academy with expertise in logistics (demand, procurement, supply chain, payroll, training, and awareness programs), engaged the students in an interactive session. As an educator in various Defence schools, she guided students in the areas of transparency and other important aspects of administration and management. With her extensive experience in the fields of counselling and finance, she provided students with valuable insights. 

The experts and students then engaged in an interactive question-and-answer session. Major General Ajay Pal Singh praised the armed forces, saying, "The uniform that we wear for our country is not simply purchased; it is proudly earned through many personal sacrifices. Serving the country is a 24/7, 365-day job with the motto "Nation before self."  Vaibhavi Dhongad, a class XII student, declared, "Career opportunities for girls in the armed forces with such a wide range of opportunities is good news for all girls aspiring to serve the nation." The students' career guidance session was executed with efficiency, and they left with valuable takeaways that will accompany them in their future career pursuits, along with a renewed sense of accountability and purpose.