Celebrating Earth Day with Gratitude and Grace
April 24, 2025
Crescendo Champions: Seth M. R. Jaipuria School, Gomti Nagar, Lifts the Trophy for the 8th Time!
April 27, 2025
At Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, we aim to inspire students by connecting them with real-life achievers. In that spirit, we invited Colonel Ajay Patial, VSM, who gave students a powerful insight into life in the Army and what it means to represent the nation with pride.
Colonel Patial began by urging students to ask themselves four reflective questions that he often poses to himself:
“Whenever I pause to reflect, three words guide me—what, when, and how. Ask yourself these four questions: What is your aim? When will it become real? And how will you achieve it? Once these are clear, everything else falls into place.”
India celebrated 75 years of Independence in 2023, as the Tricolour fluttered across the nation. Recalling that proud moment, Colonel Patial shared how his team celebrated this momentous occasion:
“In my capacity as Commanding Officer at Siachen, I was tasked with an act that would unite the country’s spirit. Twelve officers and I chose to unfurl the Tricolour at NJ 9842 on the Siachen Glacier—a strategic point claimed by China, Pakistan, and India. In freezing temperatures, we trekked up the glacier and unfurled the flag. And now, we can proudly say: In that relentless cold, the Tricolour alone prevailed.”
He urged students not to be swayed by external accolades alone:
“A medal is personal; its true worth lies in what you do every day. Compete only with yourself—you are your own benchmark.”
When speaking about career choices, he advised:
“Any career must rest on four pillars: purpose, community, values, and lifestyle. Without these, even the most prestigious path can feel empty.”
He also shared the moving story of Lieutenant Rigzin Chorol:
“When her husband died suddenly, she wept with her toddler in her arms. Yet she persevered—studied for two years, passed the selection process, and returned to serve as an educator at the Army Services School. That is the power of an organization that becomes family.”
The final segment was a candid Q&A. When asked whether one can prepare for the NDA without a science background, Colonel Patial replied:
“Yes, you can—but you shouldn’t. Studying science in classes 11 and 12 equips you for the technical challenges in service. Transitioning later is possible, but why add hurdles when you can build a solid foundation now?”
The session ended with thunderous applause, as students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Colonel Patial for the insightful and inspiring session.
