Maharashtra State was granted the privilege of leading the NSS contingent this year and the Darpesh Vijaysingh Dinger was selected for this honor. 21 year old Darpesh hails from an agricultural family from a small village named Tokade Gaon of Malegaon Taluka in Nashik District. Darpesh fondly recalls watching the Republic Day parade as a young school boy and always dreamt of being part of the parade and now he is slated to make history by leading the parade. A proud and historic moment for Sinhgad Institutes, for Maharashtra State, for Nashik District and most of all for the tiny village Tokade Gaon when Darpesh Vijaysingh Dinger would lad a contingent of 148 NSS volunteers on this Republic Day Parade.

This year, the National Sports and Youth Welfare Ministry had started the NSS practice camp at Chanakyapuri at International Youth Hostel at New Delhi from January 1 for the Republic Day. A total of 200 NSS students from 15 departments across the country participated. A total of 14 students from Maharashtra and two from Goa were selected for this prestigious Parade. A total of 200 NSS volunteers had participated in this camp from 15 departments across the country, out of which 160 were selected.

Darpesh Dingar with his sheer determination, dedication and perseverance has seen this light of the day. His sharp and commanding voice, discipline, punctuality,hard work and his leadership qualities made him achieve this commendable leadership position. He gives credit to his Parents and his Professors at Sinhgad Institutes for his achgievemnt. He says, ‘He felt elated when his name was announced. The 21-year-old Lieutenant Commander was delighted when the announcement was made. “It was a moment of pride and glory; my name goes down in the history of the Sinhgad Institutes as well as Savitribai Phule Pune University. There is a huge competition in national-level between the students of the NSS to participate in the Parade of the Republic Day at Rajpath. Darpesh said that it is a matter of pride to lead NSS contingent of 160 students. And of-course, the opportunity also makes me more responsible,” adds Darpesh.

“When I was studying in Sinhagad Institute of Science & Technology - SITS, Narhe, Pune, I joined NSS and was fascinated with the uniform,” reveals Darpesh, He joined the NSS in 2018. Being a NSS contingent, one of the biggest challenges Darpesh faced was to keep the volunteers motivated. The strenuous physical training, matching the exact routine of the NSS Volunteers, toughened him. He says, “As an NSS Volunteer, it is my duty to keep their mindset positive. We ate together, hung out and eventually developed a bond which I will always cherish in life. NSS is all about Volunteer -Society relationship.”

There was more to his calling. “I was selected in Pre-RD Camp Nagpur, but I came to Republic Day Camp to participate in the NSS contingent selections for the Republic Day parade in 2018- 19,” he says, adding, “Eventually only four of us were selected. And then the NSS contingent was formed with 148 volunteers and I was asked to lead the group based on my performance.” “Practicing running; sit ups, pushups, chin ups, etc., were done religiously so that our bodies shape up well,” he says, adding, “We also practiced drill for the parade. Our movements are monitored and corrected whenever necessary by the instructors. It is imperative that our timing should be in sync with the team, and the instructors worked hard to help us get the rhythm.” Darpesh says that life in the NSS gave him more clarity of thought. “Earlier, I was very indecisive, but now it’s changed after I got into the NSS. My responsibilities and charter of duties transformed me into a different and a more confident person,” says Darpesh.

Darpesh says that no one from his village has gone to Rajpath New Delhi to watch the parade so far. His whole village is proud of him and all are overjoyed at his achievement of being selected to lead the parade. The grandeur of this Republic day parade shall remain etched in the history of Tokade gaon Village of Nashik as well for Sinhgad Institutes, Pune. Patriotic zeal and NSS helped Darpesh Dinger to realize his dream of not only just being a part of the parade but to lead the parade. His ultimate goal is to join the Defence forces to serve the country.

Rohit Navale Vice President of Sinhgad Institutes conveyed his congratulations and best wishes to Darpesh Vijaysingh Dinger. ‘Darpesh has brought laurels not only to Sinhgad Institutes but to the whole State of Maharashtra. Our students are leaders in their chosen field and achievements of our students set benchmark for others to follow’ he added.