The National Defence Academy, the flag bearer of courage and discipline has stood as a colossal figure with its stories of valour and chivalry as the benchmark for all who are a part and parcel of this prestigious institute. It is well said that NDA is not just about men who have achieved greatness in peace and war but about the indomitable spirit of all those who have been enriched by its ethos and who in turn have left behind a part of their souls to make it the wonderful, vibrant and a much admired entity that it is today.

Nikhil Jayant Prabhune, an NDA aspirant, who cracked the All India NDA merit list and stood 17th, has woven one such dream for himself, a dream of becoming a pilot. A student of the Rastriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun, Nikhil pours out his feelings and ecstasy saying, "I really feel great about the whole thing. It is as if all my hard work has paid off. What I am today, and whatever I have been able to achieve is all because of RIMC. The institute acts as a feeder to NDA as it prepares and moulds all the students aspiring to become future NDA graduates."

The examination, which is conducted all through out the country, consists of written examinations, along with service selection board (SSB) and a medical test. "Once we clear these basic requirements, we are through," adds the 17-year-old. An avid squash player, Nikhil who is also a trained tabla player, opines, "I am planning to join Naval Aviation. I intended to become an Airforce pilot, but because I could not get through my medicals, I have decided to become a Naval Aviator."

Nikhil, who has just completed his standard 12th, owes his success to hard work and sincerity. "Preparing for the exam was not much of a problem. All I needed was to have a good knowledge of Maths. As far as the general ability test and the interview are concerned, I did not have much problems," he says.