NDA+for+Flip+Book

preface
The Oxford Dictionary defines a coffee table book as a large, expensive, lavishly illustrated book intended for casual reading.
Wikipedia further elaborates that a coffee table book is an oversized book whose purpose is for display on a table intended
for use in an area in which one entertains guests and from which it can serve to inspire conversation.
This new coffee table book on the National Defence Academy meets all these qualifications and I hope it will strike a chord
with the readers as it entertains, inspires conversation and evokes nostalgic reminiscences amongst NDA alumni.
Much has already been said in the Commandant’s foreword and, therefore, I shall limit myself to only highlighting certain
facets of the coffee table book that are particularly interesting.
This latest avatar of the NDA coffee table book has taken nine odd months to be published, but the fruit of the labour has
indeed been very satisfying. High resolution photography with improved quality of paper and print has added a new spark.
We have repeated some of the iconic photographs which adorned the pages of our earlier coffee table books because of their
historical value and also because they aptly capture the momentous occasions of this Academy’s glorious past. Also, our
archives have only a few photographs of the early years, thereby necessitating repetition. By and large though, most of the
photographs are new and the perspective offered is fresh. An attempt has been made to give a glimpse of the many changes
in the Academy and offer insights into a cadet’s daily regimen today. The coffee table book pictographically brings forth the
life of a cadet at the NDA, encapsulating also its genesis and growth, training and infrastructure, vision and future.
Since the greater purpose of the Academy is to groom cadets into gentlemen and officers of courage and integrity, the coffee
table book has a separate chapter on the three moral pillars of the NDA — the Honour Code, the Cadet’s Pledge and the
Academy Prayer. It is in the routine reiteration and living of the values ensconced in them that he builds himself into a strong
and worthy leader.
The chapter on the vision and foreseeable future of the Academy is worth perusing for those who wish the Academy well
and dream of greater glory for their alma mater.
The coffee table book in this new format is an excellent account of this wonderful
institution and its spectrum of activities. The focus has been on the cadet rather than the
trainer because we believe that the Academy’s raison d’être is the cadet and all attention
needs to be on the training that is imparted to him. It will not only make interesting
reading but also serve as a source of inspiration for many young men with dreams. I
hope the book will find pride of place in every ex-NDA’s living room as well as those
non ex-NDAs who have been associated with this fine institution and have given it
their very best.
May I, therefore, exhort readers to savour the new coffee table book with may be a
cup of coffee in hand? The 32,000 odd NDA alumni around the globe could immerse
themselves in nostalgia, rekindling their own special memories.
I wish you all Happy Reading.
Jai Hind
Sandesh P Wagle
Air Vice Marshal
Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor
deputy commandant and
chief instructor
air vice marshal Sandesh P wagle
VM
A helicopter pilot and an alumnus of the 65 th NDA Course,
the Air Marshal has flown over 6,000 hours in all kinds of
terrain. He flew as part of Operation Meghdoot in the
Siachen Glacier and Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka. He holds
the distinction of commanding an Attack Helicopter unit in
the UN Mission at Congo and the oldest Helicopter Unit of
the IAF, of which he is the Commodore Commandant. He
has also commanded the Air Force station at Leh.
The Air Marshal has also served in the Inspector General’s
branch and as the Principal Director of Helicopter operations
at Air HQ. A graduate of DSSC, Wellington, College of
Air Warfare and National Defence College, he was Senior
Instructor and Head of Training Team at DSSC, Welllington.
The Air Officer took over charge on 01 December, 2015.
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