From India’s Miss Charming Face to becoming an Army officer, Lieutenant Garima Yadav’s journey is one to reckon with. Yadav, who was the winner of Miss Charming Face Beauty Pageant, 2017, has now got commissioned into the Indian Army.
Garima Yadav completed schooling from Army Public School, Shimla and stumbled upon modelling, it was not her first career choice. She got admission in the prestigious St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University on the basis of her exceptional performance in the Class XII examination.
Garima always wanted to join the IAS but wasn’t able to clear her IAS mains and later cleared the CDS exam to join the Indian Army. She also ranked second in the All India Rank of Officers’ Training Academy, Women.
Also read: India women army officers talk about the hurdles they face
Now, Lieutenant Garima Yadav, 25, secured AIR -2 in CDS 1 2017 and joined the OTA Chennai.
“I am a single mother-child, and she has been there for me in all my ups and downs, motivating me, she’s a strong woman and my true inspiration I just wanted to make her proud. I am from army public school Ddagshai (Shimla) and did BA Economics from St Stephen’s College, New Delhi. I was preparing for civil services, but I guess army was my true calling,” Lt. Garima said while talking to SSBCrack.
I was preparing for civil services, but I guess army was my true calling.” - Lt. Garima
She further added, “I got recommended in my first attempt. Before that I was working as an MC for events as a part-time job, while preparing for exams. From there I was selected for a pageant called India’s Miss Charming Face. I won the pageant in November 2017 and was selected for the next pageant at international level, which was to be held in Italy, but I chose to join OTA Chennai instead.”
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She has also dabbled with anchoring at many popular shows.
“I had a wonderful experience at the OTA. At first, it was difficult for me to cope with the tough training, the weather was also unfavourable. I did not have very good physical standards but somehow I managed for the first few months. I didn’t give up and improved drastically. I actively participated in all curriculum activities. People have a wrong conception that you have to be good at all sports, physically strong to get selected in the SSB, that’s not true. You just should be willing to accept your weaknesses and work on them. One should always endeavour to get better and better every day. One should be honest, positive, creative and solution orientated -- that’s all you need rest everything will follow,” she continued.
People have a wrong conception that you have to be good at all sports, physically strong to get selected in the SSB, that’s not true.
Garima was selected for the Flying Officer of the Indian Air force. However, she didn’t join and decided to prepare for UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Also Read: First Woman Army Officer To Win Gallantry Award Gets Permanent Commission
Hats off to you, Garima!
Feature Image Credit:SSBCrack
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