Kavinder exhorts them to uphold national values and cultural heritage
Calls for Discipline, Integrity and Excellence Among Cadets
Says RIMC playing exemplary role in shaping disciplined & patriotic officers of Tomorrow
Shimla: Twenty-four cadets of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun, called on the Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Kavinder Gupta, at Lok Bhawan, Shimla today. The delegation was led by Naval Officer Ms. Sneha, accompanied by Faculty members Ms. Aruna Sharma and Nitin Vaishnav of RIMC.
The cadets, drawn from various states across the country, warmly introduced themselves to the Governor and shared their aspirations to serve in the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Navy.
The Governor warmly received the young cadets and lauded RIMC for its dedicated and exemplary role in preparing the youth of the nation for a life of service in the armed forces. He acknowledged the institution’s unwavering contribution in shaping disciplined, focused and patriotic officers of tomorrow.
Shri Kavinder Gupta asked the cadets to make the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra a part of their daily discipline, underlining its timeless relevance in fostering mental clarity, inner strength and spiritual grounding.
Invoking the spirit of national integration, the Governor quoted the celebrated verse — “Alag Bhasha, Alag Bhesh, Phir Bhi Apne Ek Desh” — reminding the cadets that despite the diversity of language, attire and tradition, India remains one indivisible nation. He urged them to be proud custodians of the country’s rich cultural heritage and to carry its civilisational values forward with pride.
Addressing the cadets, the Governor emphasised that discipline is the bedrock of all achievement and that character must be built before rank is sought, for integrity is a virtue that can only be lived, never decorated. He reminded them that they are not merely soldiers-in-training but future leaders of the nation, and urged them always to place the country above self. Stressing that mediocrity has no place in uniform, he asked them to strive for excellence in everything they undertake and to embrace adversity as their finest teacher, for it is through challenges that true growth is forged.
On leadership, Shri Kavinder Gupta counselled that a true leader leads from the front, for a team watches what its leader does, not what is said. He underscored that leadership is an act of service, not an assertion of authority. Acknowledging the demands of the modern battlefield, the Governor also exhorted the cadets to remain curious, stay intellectually sharp and never cease to learn.
Concluding his address, the Governor left the young aspirants with a thought that resonated deeply — “The nation sleeps peacefully because brave men and women stand ready to guard it. Be worthy of that trust.”
As part of their visit, the RIMC cadets also had the privilege of undertaking a guided tour of Lok Bhawan, Shimla — the official residence and seat of the Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh. Built during the British era and steeped in layers of colonial and post-independence history, it has been home to the highest constitutional authority of Himachal Pradesh since the state’s formation in 1971. For the young cadets, walking through its elegant corridors, stately halls and well-preserved precincts was an experience that went far beyond a mere sightseeing visit — it was an encounter with the living heritage of Indian democracy and governance.
