Education Leaders | Top Interviews

In an exclusive conversation with Lt. Col Mrinal Kumar Gupta Ray (Retd), a veteran of the 1971 war under Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, we explore the evolving nature of warfare, the critical role of mock drills, and how India’s armed forces are preparing for the uncertainties of modern conflict.

Lt. Col Gupta Ray, a young infantry officer who served in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, says that mock drills are not meant to scare. "Mock drills are for preparation, not to get scared," he says. "They allow us to confront uncertain situations with clarity and confidence."

He gives important advice to civilians during emergency drills:

The siren warns you first. Listen immediately.

Do not stand in front of mansions or trees since they may topple. Instead, find a stable shelter and try it out to see if it is safe before going inside.

Small groups reduce casualties. Staying dispersed helps to save lives.

Retracing how war has come about, Gupta Ray muses, "Gradually, with passing days, we are fighting from far. We do not physically clash anymore. We face less resistance when we fire from a distance. We are going backward to fight forward."

He brings to notice that the Indian Army now works more on occupation and less on destruction. "We do not destroy, we occupy — because land gives us the victory," he explains. The warfield has changed with technology. "Today, satellites provide real-time information; in our time, we had binoculars only. Artillery is driven by advanced technology now," he tells.

Gupta Ray also sheds light on the growing application of artificial intelligence in war. "AI is being used nowadays to minimize casualties and lower human destruction. Technology is helping every day," he adds further.

Approaching the issue of terrorism, Gupta Ray firmly states, "Terrorism today is government-sponsored, backed by sleeper cells. It's impossible for terrorists to hide or travel 1,000 km without local logistics. We must ask: who provides for them? Local complicity and administrative failure are key catalysts."

On Indo-Pak relations, he sends a caustic reminder: "Pakistan has to learn war is not child's play. War cannot be fought with AK-47s — it requires logistics."

Reflecting on his own experience in war, he recollects, "In 1971, under Sam Manekshaw's command, we trained for seven months to fight a war. We had seven months granted by Indira Gandhi. Preparation was of utmost importance."

While India navigates a time of unexpected technological revolutions and geopolitical tensions, Gupta Ray's message is clear: preparedness, adaptability, and judicious use of technology are the foundations of national security.

While the majority of Class 10 students waste time worrying about board exams, 15-year-old Bandaru Pravalika from Konempala village, Andhra Pradesh, had something else preoccupying her mind -- learning new things. Within a year, she finished a whopping 175 certificate courses online via Infosys Springboard.

Pravalika, a student of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Bhimli, discovered the platform during Class 9 due to her school teachers. From robotics and AI to time management and career skills, she learned everything on the platform -- even dedicating 3-8 hours every day just to this.

"I have completed a lot of courses like robotics, time management, skill development, and subject-specific courses," says Pravalika, who secured 557 out of 600 in her Class 10 board exams.

"As I'm a single parent child, I have encountered a lot of situations in life, but when I joined KGBV, I saw a new world," she says.

She's not all books, though. Pravalika is also the vice-captain of her school cricket team and has won state-level medals in tennis ball cricket. Her tale impressed Disney Plus Hotstar, who flew down from Delhi for an exclusive interview. Even Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh congratulated her on her remarkable feat.

SCHOOL SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

"In our KGBV schools, we're not teaching -- we're nurturing our students in all aspects," said ACP sir, one of her schoolteachers.

"Pravalika's success indicates how the system is functioning. She's motivated 18 other students to take more than 100 courses," he added.

The school provides more than classes alone -- from yoga early in the morning to learning support at students' own pace and a daily meal, all the minutest details are thoughtfully arranged.

A BRIGHT FUTURE AND A FREE SEAT

Identifying her ability, Sri Chaitanya Vidya Sanstha has given her a full free seat for her future studies. Pravalika now wants to do BTech in civil engineering and wishes to be a part of the civil services one day.

Through diligent efforts and mentorship, Pravalika has demonstrated that students from small towns can also dream high -- and succeed.

While all boys and girls of the teenager age group are busy establishing their college careers, Morena (Madhya Pradesh) resident Nandini Agarwal has already etched her name on the world map. She was the world's youngest woman chartered accountant (CA) at the age of 19 and proceeded to find a place in the Guinness World Records too for the same.

Having done her 10th board exams at the age of 13 and 12th at only 15. Her desire was ignited when a record-breaker from Guinness World Records came to her school, and she was motivated to aim for something equally record-breaking herself.

Not losing heart, Nandini prepared for the CA course with one-pointed dedication. She achieved rank 1 in CA final exam in 2021 at the age of 19 with record-shattering 614 marks out of a total of 800 (76.75%). She was just 19 years and 330 days old when her result was declared, and she was duly awarded world's youngest lady CA title by Guinness World Records.

It was the support of her family that changed her luck. Her elder brother was also preparing for the CA exam simultaneously, and the two of them would prepare together to a great extent. The two brothers perceived the outcome in such a manner that Nandini topped the previous merit list and her elder brother got rank 18.

She had great difficulties when she was 16 because most firms did not want to offer her an apprenticeship since she was too young. However, her resolve and determination allowed her to overcome such barriers.

Now, CA Nandini’s story stands as a powerful testament to what focused determination and perseverance can achieve. She is an inspiration to countless young people across India, proving that age is no limit when it comes to ambition and achievement.

Cutting through the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is the aspiration of crores of people in India. But only a few manage to convert this dream into reality with their sheer hard work, perseverance, and unwavering enthusiasm. One such motivational personality is Ravi Raj, a boy from the Nawada district of Bihar, who secured an exemplary All India Rank (AIR) 182 in the UPSC 2024 exam — and that too, in his first attempt.

The most astonishing aspect of Ravi's achievement is his array of challenges he had to overcome along the way. Blind since birth and due to economic hardship, Ravi's journey is a testament to determination and perseverance.

As he was born in a poor family, Ravi's father Ranjan Kumar Sinha is an agriculturist by profession and his mother Vibha Sinha manages their home. Ravi completed his primary education at Dayal Public School and graduated from Sitaram Sahu College, Nawada. Though he was from a poor family with less resource, Ravi was adamant to be a good student.

In 2023, Ravi took the first major step towards his aspiration by clearing the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam with Rank 490 and joining as a Revenue Officer. But he did not rest on that accomplishment. Inspired to work for the nation on a broader platform, Ravi cast his eyes beyond the BPSC exam and set his target on the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

One of the pillars on Ravi's journey was his mother, Vibha Sinha, who was his constant source of motivation. She would always assist with preparation — reading textbooks to him, typing out Ravi's class notes, and even voice-dubbing YouTube lectures so study material was accessible. Handling household work and son's preparation, Vibha's dedication was the turning point in Ravi's success.

Ravi never lost faith in the middle of physical, mental, and monetary fluctuations. It is not a story of passing a renowned exam; it is a shining testament to the reality that great will, parental support, and an unbreakable feeling of resolve are potent enough to conquer any monstrous defeat.

Ravi Raj's success is a powerful message — that there is no obstacle bigger than one's will to succeed. His tale will certainly inspire thousands of others who are wrestling with their own issues, showing that through the right attitude and motivation, one's fantasies can be made into realities.

RankAshish Raghuvanshi belongs to Digoda village in Ashoknagar district, and completed his primary education in his hometown.

Ashish Raghuvanshi, the 23-year-old son of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Naresh Raghuvanshi, posted at the Superintendent of Police (SP) office in Gwalior, has successfully cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, securing All India Rank (AIR) 202 in his very first attempt.

Ashish is a native of Digoda village, Ashoknagar district, and received his primary education in his village. He afterwards went for graduation from the Delhi University (DU) and received the same in 2022. This is when he started studying for the civil services examination.

Talking to ANI, Ashish stated, "I have stuck to the basic study materials suggested by the toppers, nothing out of the ordinary. I kept reading the newspaper every day and followed the syllabus. I always wanted to be an IAS since childhood. Also, my father is a member of the Madhya Pradesh police, and I read about the higher ranks of SP and Collector. Also, my school in Ashok Nagar was in front of the collector's office, and the collector used to visit our school on different occasions. So it motivated me that I also want to achieve such a post."

He also stated that the person who worked hard every time, then he would receive its outcome. One should never lose hope if they are unable to achieve success in the very first attempt.

"It is not like that it was my first attempt, then it was a year long hard work. It is the outcome of Hard work which was a long process. To get selected, one needs to work in the right direction with the right strategy from the beginning. I want to motivate all to give their 100% in their own fields. It was my first attempt, so I would again try to enhance my rank. Other than this, I will do my best, whatever allotment is provided till now," he added.

While his father Naresh Raghuvanshi got emotional when he discussed his son's achievement. While talking to ANI, he expressed that he was extremely happy and felt speechless. He had not imagined it, but could not describe his feeling into words.

"It is a moment of pride for us, and I would welcome him with pride. The family is also extremely happy following his achievement, and it was all his hard work in reaching this milestone," he said.

Gwalior SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police), Dharmvir Singh, also welcomed Raghuvanshi and his family for the achievement, stating that it was a moment of pride both for the Gwalior police and the entire MP police.

"Son of a police family, Ashish Raghuvanshi, has not only brought pride to Gwalior police but the entire MP police as well. It is a very proud moment, and Ashish's father is an employee in my office. I am extremely happy to hear that, in his first attempt, he achieved the 202nd rank in the Civil Service Examination. It is a proud moment for the whole Madhya Pradesh Police that the son of a police family has cleared the UPSC exam in his first attempt after completing his graduation from the Delhi University. I congratulate him and his family," Singh said.

With his achievement, other children in the police family will surely gain inspiration and will be encouraged to excel well in their life in the future, the SP added.

Shakti Dubey, who secured first rank in UPSC Main 2024 exam, was always a bright student, revealed her father. Jubilation broke out in the Dubey family in Prayagraj as Shakti Dubey reached the pinnacle of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. With laughter, tears, and hugs all around, her family savored the glow of her remarkable achievement. In an interview with NDTV, her father Devendra Kumar Dubey expressed the family's happiness with Sahkti's success and attributed the phenomenal outcome to her hard work and god's blessings.

"I am feeling great, it's all because of god's grace," Mr Dubey stated.

Shakti was always a meritorious student, exhibiting exemplary academic performance and achievement.

"She completed her graduation from Allahabad University, and she is a gold medallist. Then, she did MSc from Banaras Hindu University (BHU)," said Mr Dubey.

Shakti had been training for UPSC exam for two-three years, and even attended a coaching center in Delhi in the COVID era. But afterward, she went back home and prepared on her own.

"She passed the exam in her third attempt. She made it to the interview round in her second attempt, but failed to pass the exam at that time. But something better was waiting for her, and we are witnessing this outcome," said jubilant Mr Dubey.Her neighbour Sujata Dwivedi joined in, "I have been residing in his locality for 10 year, and a news like this has arrived for the first time."

"The family life is good, she received a lot of support from family. All of us are thrilled," she said.

Shakti informed news agency ANI said that she had been working hard for a long time, and initially, she was not able to believe the outcome, but later came to accept them.