Six Gates Of Hell

© Jugadu Fauji 2023

All rights reserved

All rights reserved by author. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

First Published in August 2023

ISBN: 978-93-64521-28-4

BLUEROSE PUBLISHERS

www.bluerosepublishers.com

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Cover Design:

whats.up.momo

Typographic Design:

Pooja Sharma

Distributed by: BlueRose, Amazon, Flipkart

SIX GATES OF HELL

Are you ready to undertake the challenging journey of a teenage boy through the rigorous National Defence Academy?

Jugadu Fauji

Dedicated to

This book is dedicated to all my brother officers of the past, present, and future, as well as to all the aspiring members of the armed forces who will be the future leaders of this great country. So, DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU?

Acknowledgments

Being a cadet at NDA, you are taught not to say Sorry or Thank you. However, the army teaches you to be grateful and gracious. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to my seniors and juniors who motivated me to put my thoughts into writing.

This would not have been possible without my Instagram and YouTube families, who have always supported me and pushed me to greater heights.

You can take a cadet out of NDA, but you can never take NDA out of a cadet.

Must Know

What Is NDA?

NDA, which stands for the National Defence Academy, is an iconic and prestigious institution located in Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra. It is the world’s first tri-services academy, meaning that cadets from all three services - the Army, Navy, and Air Force - train together before proceeding to their respective pre-commissioning academies for the grueling fourth year of training. NDA is more than just an academy; it is a feeling that cannot be described in words. It has produced the highest number of service chiefs of staff and numerous gallantry award winners.

Additionally, many cadets join the National Defence Academy twice a year, to be precise. As a result, the concept of battalions and squadrons has evolved to keep things manageable. On the reporting day, cadets are assigned to one of the 18 squadrons and 5 battalions. Each battalion and squadron has a rich history and unique traditions that the cadets follow with great reverence.

NO 1 Battalion - TIGER Battalion (ABCD)

• Alpha

• Bravo

• Charlie

• Delta

NO 2 Battalion - DOLPHIN Battalion (EFGH)

• Echo Squadron

• Foxtrot Squadron

• Golf Squadron

• Hunter Squadron

No. 3 Battalion- EAGLE Battalion (IJKL)

• India Squadron

• Juliet Squadron

• Kilo Squadron

• Lima Squadron

No. 4 Battalion- ABHIMANYU Battalion(MNOP)

• Mike Squadron

• November Squadron

• Oscar Squadron

• Panther Squadron

No. 5 Battalion - HAWKS Battalion (QR)

• Quebec Squadron

• Romeo Squadron

Each squadron at NDA comprises approximately 100 to 125 cadets and 125 rooms. Every squadron has its own customs and traditions and is represented by two unique colors. Cadets from various parts of India and friendly foreign countries are present here. This is a place where bonds are formed among the cadets and between them and their squadrons, ultimately leading to strong bonds with this great country over the years.

There is a saying at NDA:

If you can’t fight for two colors(referring to squadron), you will never be able to fight for three colors (referring to the Indian flag).

NDA motto: Service Before Self.

Contents

Gate 1: Dopes Are Born

Dream Do Come True

Yeah - I Got My Overstudy.. But He’s A Total Jerk

Academy Waterloo

What Goes Around- Comes Around

NDA Special – The Wagon Of Dreams

Gate 2: The Mysteries

Cross Country – The Pandemonium

Camp Greenhorn

Liberty And Hockey!!

Novices Boxing & The Academics Torch

Gate 3: The Pillars

Being A Dad Isnt Easy!

The Responsibility!

A Cadet’s Curse – The Rejection!

Gate 4: The Joshbox!

The Breaking Point

Rovers

Drill Competition

Gate 5: Rise Of The Kings!

The Taste Of Power!

A Birthday, A Broken Nose And A Feud!

Gate 6: Reign Of The Lords!

My NDA Ball!

My NDA POP!

Epilogue

Mission 100

Introduction

IIT, SCHOOL BOARDS OR NDA - A DILEMMA

What will happen if I have to take a year off? My family’s financial situation is poor, and the stress of studying is starting to affect my health. Please guide me through this difficult time, God.

It was January 25th when I received my call letter for SSB. For those who don’t know about SSB, let me shed some light on it. The Services Selection Board, or SSB, is an organization that assesses candidates for becoming officers in the Indian Armed Forces. It is followed by a difficult written exam, and to add some spice, the selection rate of this organization is less than 1% (approximately 0.0015 including the written exam). So the journey was not going to be easy.

With the call letter in hand, I was fighting two emotions. I was thrilled that I could clear the written exam, but I was worried too, as the game had just begun! It was when I was struggling with my school preboards, mock tests for the IIT, and preparation for the SSB.

Having no idea about SSB, I was wasting hours and hours of my busy life on YouTube, and let me tell you, it was when you used to pay for data in GBs, unlike today, where 4G and 5G are available at very reasonable prices. So finally, somehow, I got my hands on a skinny and cheap book named SSB: The Complete Guide by KN Natrajan. Let me be very straight here - I am not promoting any book for SSB. I selected this book because it was the thinnest and cheapest on the market.

Only God knows how I managed to pass preboards at school, but deep down, I was happy that the book was in its last pages. Having no clear knowledge about SSB and putting all my faith in this sole book, finally, the day arrived when I was packing my bag for Allahabad. I still remember the night prior to SSB, when my dad sat next to me and said,

Don’t be so stressed out, son. It’s just an interview. There is nothing in this world you can’t achieve if you set your eyes on it. And even if you fail, you can always go for IIT or many other top universities, which you will be able to crack without breaking a sweat.

My dad, like any middle-class Indian dad, was worried about my future. He didn’t have any degrees or PhDs, but I could clearly see in his eyes that he loved me more than anything. He was a typical example of a man who had worked hard throughout his life to build something for his family but had failed. However, failures had not diminished the fire that still burned brightly in his heart. He was still a dreamer and had aged like fine wine. He not only had complete faith in my capabilities but was also well-versed in my limitations. On the other hand, I had always been a bright child, a typical example of a child who had been in the top three throughout his life. But preparing for IIT had already made me realize that staying in the top three in school can’t guarantee success because there are lakhs of schools in India and lakhs of toppers from the same schools.

His words were like a warm embrace, and I couldn’t help but cry. Like most typical Indian sons, I didn’t express my love for him before heading off to bed. As I lay there, my mind raced with worry.

What will happen if I have to take a year off? My family’s financial situation is poor, and the stress of studying is starting to affect my health. Please guide me through this difficult time, God.

The next morning, my dad woke me up in a hurry. We were running late for the train to Allahabad, and there was only an hour left before it departed. I quickly got ready, hugged my mother, said my morning prayers, and headed to the railway station with my dad. We made it to the train just in time, and with my mother and father by my side, I felt ready to face whatever came my way at The Rejection Center—SSB Allahabad.

The next day, I had to report to the railway station at 1300 H, or 1 pm. I apologize for the military time format; it’s what I’m used to. Dressed in a light blue shirt, dark blue trousers, and a tie I learned to wear from YouTube the night before, I stood on platform no. 1 with my dad at 1000 H. My dad was adamant about one thing in the military: punctuality. So, I stood there like a fool, three hours early.

As the reporting time drew nearer, I grew more and more anxious. My dad was just as nervous as I was, but he stood by