In a powerful reminder that failure is not the end but often the beginning of greatness, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Thursday urged young NCC cadets to embrace setbacks without fear as they shape their future.
Addressing cadets at the ongoing Republic Day Camp, the Air Chief shared deeply personal moments from his own life, from struggling to secure school admissions as a child to missing his first promotion board while in service, before eventually rising to lead one of the strongest air forces in the world.
Addressing the young cadets, the Air Chief emphasised that true growth comes from self-improvement, not rivalry.
“If you compete with others, the day you surpass them your growth stops. Compete with yourself. Strive to be better tomorrow than you are today,” he said.
Speaking about the importance of determination, the Air Chief said failure is a natural outcome of effort and should never be feared. “Only those who work fail. People who do nothing never fail,” he said.
Sharing candid events from his own life, the Air Chief recalled how he had failed to gain admission in a reputed school and a Sports School at Rai, Haryana. He also spoke about missing his promotion examination once, which delayed his promotion by a year compared to his batchmates. “But still I have become the chief. So, this was destined,” he said.
Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Singh said one must focus on one’s duty, to work sincerely and give one’s best, without being overly attached to outcomes.
“Do your best, work hard, and accept whatever comes with grace,” he advised.
Urging cadets to remain ambitious yet grounded, the Air Chief said the journey of effort and learning is more important than the destination. He also stressed that there are no shortcuts to success and that hard work, discipline, and strong values instilled by parents and teachers remain the foundation of any lasting achievement.
The COAS further said joining the forces and serving the country is not the only end goal of NCC.
“Whether you are in uniform or out of uniform, you can still contribute towards patriotism and nation building. You can help build the nation even without being in uniform.”
“Some wise person had once told me that every soldier is a citizen in uniform and every citizen is a soldier out of uniform. So, we have to remember that, whether we wear a uniform or not, our heart should be a uniformed heart. And for that, whatever you have been taught here, whatever values have been given to you, you have to remember that,” he added.