Sagardeep Singh, a resident of Gurudwara Road in Jhumri Telaiya, has achieved a significant milestone by being commissioned as a Lieutenant Doctor in the Indian Army. He completed his medical education at the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune. During a grand passing out parade held recently, he was officially inducted as a medical officer in the Indian Army. Following his commissioning, Sagardeep will now serve a one-year internship at Ambala Cantt before commencing his full-time duties as a doctor within the Indian Army.
The Challenging Path and Father’s Vision
Sagardeep is the son of the late Ashok Saluja and Kamlesh Saluja. His uncle, Yashpal Singh Golden, recalled that it was always Ashok Saluja’s dream to see his son become a doctor and serve the nation and society. Sagardeep completed his early education at Sacred Heart School and finished his 12th grade at Grizzly Vidyalaya, Tilaiya Dam. He dedicated himself to preparing for the NEET exam from home with discipline and focus. However, 2018 marked the most difficult phase of his life when his father passed away suddenly. Despite this devastating personal loss, Sagardeep chose not to surrender; instead, he channeled his grief into motivation to fulfill the promise he had made to himself.
Impressing the Selection Board
Determined to keep his father's dream alive, Sagardeep worked tirelessly and secured the 34th rank at the state level in the 2021 NEET examination. This accomplishment opened the doors for him to join the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune. During the selection interview, the panel inquired why he chose the military medical service over other prestigious private or government medical colleges, especially given his high rank.
Sagardeep’s response left a lasting impact on the interviewing officers. He stated that his goal in pursuing an MBBS was not to accumulate wealth, but to provide care for those who serve the nation. He expressed his desire to use his professional knowledge and skills to treat the soldiers who guard the country without a second thought for their own lives. This sentiment demonstrated his deep commitment to the nation and led him directly to the Army Medical Corps. On July 10, as he took the oath as an Indian Army officer during the passing out parade in Pune, it was a moment of immense pride and emotion for his family, marking the realization of his father’s long-held wish.
