Picture Courtesy: Sumit Sharma

 

Some people are disheartened by difficulties, while some face them boldly and achieve their goals. When one is determined, no obstacle can stop them from achieving their dreams.

I happened to come across one such determined soul when I went to IMA for covering the Passing out Parade of Autumn term this December for my blog. I met a newly commissioned officer, Lt. Baranana Yadagiri. He belongs to the Hyderabad and his father, Gurnnaya Yadagiri, used to be a daily wager.

During his interaction with the media, Lt. Yadagiri said, “I have faced a lot of difficulties right from my childhood. My father used to work in a small cement factory. I have a younger brother too and it was difficult for my father to feed us with his meagre earning of around Rs 100 per day.”

However, Lt. Yadagiri background didn’t stop him form pursuing his dreams. He worked hard and got 93.34% in matriculation, which helped him to get scholarship for further studies. He studied engineering from International Institute of Information and Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad in Mechanical stream. After completing his engineering, he got job offers from the US, but he didn’t give in to the distractions and kept moving ahead to achieve his goal.

“I got lot of opportunities. I got offers to go to the USA and that from IITs and IIMs, but I wanted to join army that’s why I didn’t go there.”

Lt. Yadagiri not only become an officer but also received silver medal for standing first in the order of merit in technical entry.

Lt. Yadagiri’s parents were overwhelmed by looking at their son in the army uniform. Their hard work has paid off. After donning the uniform, feeling of satisfaction could clearly be seen on Lieutenant’s face. He was calm and composed with fire and hunger in his heart.

Now his next aim is to enhance his skills and knowledge so that he can prove himself worthy of his uniform, making his parents, instructors and army proud of himself.

Lt. Yadagiri addressing the media: