RISING TALENT!!!
My talented friends make very good subjects for my blogposts. I am very lucky to have such friends. I love to introduce their talent and achievements to the world and I feel very proud when people appreciate & recognize their potential and capabilities to succeed.
Past few years have been very good for adventure sports in Nasik. Many young kids are experiencing the thrill of it. Along with Rock Climbing, some more adventure sports have become familiar to Nasikites that are Slack lining, Mountain Biking etc. & one of my good friends 'Bhupesh Patil' is making his name shine in climbing and Slack lining.
Bhupesh AKA Raj is an engineering student. We became friends when in
2013, he, along with his friends, went to Himalayan trek with my husband
Bhushan to Manali. Bhushan introduced them to Rock climbing. We have a
small artificial climbing wall at our home . They started coming for
climbing. It was just another temporary hobby for others but Raj really
got involved in this sport. He loved it. He started to work out
regularly. He was pretty good for a beginner. Bhushan guided him very
well and this teenage kid became a fine climber in the period of less
than 3 years.
Raj didn't stop at just climbing. Actually he is kind of Multi-talented Boy. Even in school , he was in Gymnastics and athletics. The flexibility and stamina he had developed being an athlete helped him to develop his climbing as well. He also Practises MMA (Mixed Marshal Arts) ,Participates in MMA competitions too.
After an year since he started climbing ,we took him to participate in Girivihar International Bouldering Competition in Mumbai. He played in Amateurs
category. Though it was his very first climbing competition , he
secured 2nd position in amateurs. It was very good achievement for him.
Everybody appreciated his efforts. After Girivihar , he played West
zonal competitions and in that he was semi finalist in Bouldering &
Lead . He was on the right track.
As a person , he is a great friend. His friendly nature makes people
like him. He gels with all very well. Though young in age , he is quite
matured, helpful and
caring person. He is very enthusiastic boy who is eager to learn
different things. And because of this nature he made some good friends
from climbing community. Through these new friends , he stepped into
world of yet another adventure sports that is Slack lining. A new acquaintance, SAMAR FAROOQUI became his mentor . Samar is one of the
best Slack liners in India. He was featured in Reality Talent show named 'India's Got Talent'. It was a nice platform to promote Slacklining in
India.
Yet again Raj excelled in this new sport in no time. In few months , he
was able to do the tricks on the Line. Bhushan, Raj, Samar also
organized slack lining work shop in city. Many kids enjoyed it. With
their efforts ,slack lining made a news in Nasik news papers. Raj didn't
stop at just trick lining, he also dared to go for High Lining under
Samar's Guidance. The group went to Talwade Khind at Anjaneri fort for
the very first High Lining attempt in Nasik. Starting with Bhushan's
safe anchoring at the Height of 70-80fts, the line was fixed and Samar
& Raj gave it a shot. In windy conditions, after many scary falls ,
they both completed the walk. It was a big confidence boosting
achievement for them , specially for Raj as he was again just a new
comer in slack lining field. They have visited Badami 3-4 times in past
few months to do the high line projects.
First highline project was 'Master of Cookies' and another one was 'FOR
RICHHIE' in the Memory of their good friend Richard Khair. At Dukes Nose,
they did 50fts highline named 'Dreamline'.
Though Raj is much into slack lining these days , he follows climbing too. Now more on natural rocks. In Badami he has climbed some good grade routes. He is yet to discover the beauty of boulders of Hampi and Thrill of high altitude climbs, but it's just matter of time now with all the climber friends around.This Multi-Talented pupil has made his guides and 'as a friend' me,proud so far. As he is still very young, he has many years to refine his skills and techniques & to explore other adventure sports.
The Key to success is Focus & Practice but also Humbleness & Being down to Earth. And with these things , may he reach the new heights. Hope that he will make good use of his talent in promoting these sports in Nasik and to attract more young crowd to adventure field.
Nasik wants more of these kind of Talent to Rise
& Bring Nasik's name to Glory!!!
SHINE BRIGHT , LIEUTENANT !!!
Yet another reason to be proud given to us by our beloved friend Ankit Sharma. He has added another Feather in his cap ... Actually,The Shining Stars on his shoulders. He has fulfilled his most important dream. Achieved the goal for which he was working so hard ....!
A boy has become a man. Climber Ankit Sharma is now Lieutenant Ankit Sharma. An Officer In The Indian Army. The Proudest thing for his family and for us, his friends who stood behind him and supported him on this important journey towards his goal.
Along with his family, I got the opportunity to attend his Passing Out Parade. It was a lifetime experience. I still can't get over the feeling of pride and happiness. I am so grateful to him to consider us as family and giving opportunity to be there for him at the most precious moment of his life. The experience was one of a kind. Not everyone gets the chance to watch the POP Live in action. My heart is still overflowing with the emotions. So I have to share it,write it in words to make those emotions flow.
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| CHIEF GUEST!! |
The Passing Out Parade was scheduled on 12th Sep. 2015 in Chennai at Officers Training Academy
(OTA). We reached chennai on 10th and on the same day in the evening,there was a function at OTA.We all went to OTA by 5 pm. The moment we entered the main gates of OTA Campus,The feeling of Pride struck me. Hundreds of parents,friends of cadets had gathered there.It was so awesome to see all the Cadets in their Uniforms.
Women Cadets were looking as strong and invincible as men in those uniforms and in soldier cuts.That evening,there was a Award ceremony. First the Award ceremony took place. Best performing cadets and Companies received the Medals and Trophies.
Ankit himself has been awarded with two medals as Best in Marching and Shooting and
Best in Physical Training. It was nice to see him on stage receiving those
medals.Then there were performances by cadets. Dances, Singing, Music, Acts.
And I must say, they all are Multi-talented. It was great show. It was
followed by Dinner at their Grand Cadet mess. Then Ankit took all of
us to his Company Building. Naushera Company.That evening I met one other
person who added to our pride as Nasikites. A girl cadet from Nasik.
Its very great to see someone from my hometown,that also a girl who is
gonna be an Officer.
There are 7 companiess of cadets in OTA. Naushera, Jessami,Kohima,Meiktila,Basantar of Gentlemen Cadets and
Zozila and Philora of Lady Cadets. These companies are named after the
places where the battles were fought in past. OTA is the only military academy in India that trains lady
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| LADY OFFICERS!! |
officers.
In this batch there were also 14 Afgan GCs. Some of our friendly
neighbouring countries send their cadets to India for military training
to enhance their skills. Here,at OTA, all these cadets have to train too
hard in humid climate of Chennai, go through rigorous,hectic and very
tough training for 11 months to become respectable and responsible
officers. Lady cadets go through same training, shoulder to shoulder, as
men and excel in it. Hats of to them all.Not only to them but all the
servicemen and women,The Brave-hearts,in Indian Defence sector.
On 12th Sep., we went to OTA at 5 in morning. It was a Big day for everybody. Final Passing Out Parade of
Cadets for Becoming commissioned officers. Lieutenants!! At 6 am,all
gathered in a parade ground.In front of us there was huge
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| PASSING OUT PARADE!! |
'Parameshwaran
Gate' from which the Cadets were going to enter the ground. In short
time, they arrived. Marching on the rhythm of band.That scene gave all
of us goosebumps. Then The chief guest arrived. Lt. Gen Bakshi. After his
speech all the companies marched and circled whole ground. At the
end,they slow marched out of the ground towards the 'Antim Pag'.They all
were smiling with immense joy. All spectators were so proud of their
achievement.The moment cadets crossed the last step,all their emotions
broke out. Some broke into tears of joy and pride.Ran into their parents
arms. It was hearth-touching scene.
At the end, came the most important part. Revealing of shining stars and Taking the Oath as an Officers. The stars on the shoulders were revealed by the parents or those who were dear to them. Then all the newly commissioned officers gathered in the
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| OATH TAKING CEREMONY!! |
middle of ground surrounded by proud people. They took an Oath to protect and serve the nation and to sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. Then they sang the Army Song" Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja", followed by our National Anthem. Finally they celebrated their achievement with such an intensity and excitement that gave all the spectators overwhelming feeling of Pride and Patriotism. For parents it was a feeling of satisfaction that they have raised and nurtured these brave-hearts. Those 3 days are imprinted so deep on my mind which will never fade away. Looking at these young officers, I wish I could be there where they are standing. If I could go back in time,I would do everything to be like them.
As for Ankit, he has always chosen the difficult path in his life,fought his way to success every time. Without having any family background of Adventure or Army, he First excelled in Climbing ,winning Gold for India in climbing Internationally and Now taking totally different path, he has become an Army Officer. I am so proud of Ankit as much as his family is. I believe that he is destined for greatness and till now he has always proven that.
We all wish him and all his Fellow Officers All the very best for their future. May they make the nation proud!!!
