Meet the IMA cadet who defeated death and is now posted at the world’s highest battlefield

For 27-year-old Lieutenant Rajshekhar, an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), finding himself on a hospital bed was a devasting experience. Admitted to the Military Hospital with multiple organ failure when he collapsed during a routine drill at the academy, doctors had ruled out his chances of survival.

Today, however, he has an inspiring tale to narrate, and what's more, the Tamil Nadu lad is now posted at Siachen, the world's highest battlefield. In a conversation with The Hindustan Times, he says,

I suddenly collapsed due to dehydration during the pahlakadam exercise in which cadets were required to run a distance of 10 km with a heavy load on their back. I was admitted at the hospital’s intensive care unit for 18 days and at the high dependency unit for 22 days. The doctors clearly told my trainers that I won’t survive.

Also read: How an army veteran’s passion for the military turned into a premium e-commerce platform for military gear

With 70 percent damage to his kidney and liver, he spent 40 days in hospital. With support from his colleagues and family, he says, he fought the odds. So much so that he received the best motivator award at the academy.

I was not prepared to give up. After being discharged from the hospital, I started working out in the gym for four hours daily and it paid. I not only survived, but became fit enough to complete the course in time.

Rakshekhar, who hails from Maidanbatti in Tamil Nadu lost his father in 2005 when he was only 15. His mother took up to tailoring to support the family. His first posting was at 12 Assam Rifles in Siachen, says The Better India.

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