From village home to the skies: How Mehakpreet and Komalpreet made Punjab proud

Two cadets from Punjab Mai Bhago AFPI script history in India’s toughest defence exams.

In a story that reads like a testament to ambition and grit, two young women from humble village of Punjab have taken the country by storm.

Mehakpreet kaur, a cadet of Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) for girls in Mohali, has secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the Air Force Academy merit list. Her fellow cadet Komalpreet kaur secured AIR 18 to gain entry into the renowned National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla.

The achievement has sent a wave of pride across Punjab.

Who are they?

Mehakpreet kaur, daughter of a farmer Amarjit Singh and a homemaker Rupinder kaur from Ropar district of Punjab. Growing up in agricultural household with no military background her journey to the very top of AFA merit list is nothing short of extraordinary achievement.

Komalpreet Kaur the daughter of Indian Army Havildar Gurmeet Singh and Baljit kaur from Amritsar. With a father already serving Indian Army, Komalpreet carrying a spirit of service in her blood- and turned it into a national rank.

Both cadets trained at the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) for girls in Mohali, an institution established by the Punjab Government exclusively to train young women to commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces.

What makes this achievement special?

When Mehakpreet kaur secured AIR 1 in AFA, she did not just top the competitive exam – she stood first in a national pool where vacancies for women in defence service remain scarce.

Mai Bhago AFPI Director Major General Jasbir Singh Sandhu, AVSM (Retd.) expressed immense pride saying “securing AIR 1 against the minuscule vacancies for women in the Defence Services is extraordinary.”

Indian Defence Forces Particularly Air Force Academy and NDA has recently open doors for women- making every top rank finish by a woman a milestone in the truest sense.

What comes next?

The road ahead for both cadets is equally exciting. Mehakpreet kaur as AIR 1 in AFA merit list will now proceed to the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad for her flying and officer training. Komalpreet kaur, AIR 18 for NDA entry will report to Khadakwasla, Pune, for three years tri- service training before moving to her specialized academy.

The institution behind the success

The Punjab Government under Chief Minster Bhagwant Singh Mann launched an NDA Preparatory Wing for girls at Mai Bhago AFPI in 2023- a decision that has yielded results at the national level within just three years of its inception.

Living up to the institute’s ethos- ‘Shubh Karman Te Kabhu Na Tararun’ (never shy away from the righteous action)- both cadets hail from humble backgrounds embodying the founding spirit of the institute.

Words of praise

Punjab Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora congratulated the cadets said that “the success reflects the vision of a new, aspirational Punjab. Mehakpreet and Komalpreet have not just cracked India’s toughest defence exams, they have shattered glass ceilings for every daughter of Punjab from small towns and villages.” He said.

He added that Mehakpreet and Komalpreet have given a massive boost to the state government’s mission of sending more daughters of Punjab into uniform. And wished both cadets a bright, glorious future in service of the Nation. Words of AFPI Director Jasbir Singh Sadhu.

A larger message

The success of Mehakpreet and komalpreet is more than a personal triumph. It is a signal to every young woman from small town, village across India that the sky quite literally is no longer the limit. In a country where women entry in Defence Force has been a hard won, evolving right, their rank has a strong proof that determination and passion, a right training and support can break any barriers.