Martyred Major Amit Deswal chose Army over cushy options

CHANDIGARH: Armed with a commerce degree from Delhi University at the age of 21, Amit Deswal had many options - to study chartered accountancy or to join Delhi police and lead a comparatively comfortable life.

However, fate had destined something else for Major Amit Deswal of Surehti village of Jhajjar district, who laid down his life on Wednesday while fighting terrorists at one of the most inhospitable terrains in the north eastern part of the country.

According to the martyr's family, since childhood Amit wanted to join the armed forces.

Having completed his class XII in commerce stream from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Deolali in Nashik, Amit made three attempts to join National Defence Academy (NDA) but could not succeed.

But this third generation soldier continued his quest as he always believed that he was born to join the armed forces. Incidentally, his date of birth falls on January 15, which is celebrated as the Army Day.

Finally, he not only succeeded in joining the Army but also topped the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination in 2004, and joined Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, from where he was commissioned into the Artillery Regiment in June 2006.

A robust commando, Deswal had volunteered to join elite para (Special Forces) regiment and has also served the Vikas battalion of Special Forces, which comes under the cabinet secretariat and provides muscle to the Research and Analyses Wing ( RAW).

Sumit Deswal, younger brother of Major Amit, told TOI, "He had inherent qualities of a soldier and made supreme sacrifice like a brave soldier."