Meet Prarthana Sarkar: From Best Naval NCC Cadet to Femina Miss India West Bengal

Prarthana Sarkar’s journey represents a compelling blend of military discipline, leadership, and graceful poise. From excelling as the All India Best Cadet (Navy) 2016 at the Republic Day Camp in Delhi to being crowned fbb Colors Femina Miss India West Bengal 2018, she has demonstrated how the rigours of the National Cadet Corps can shape an individual for success across diverse platforms. Her story continues to inspire defence aspirants, young women, and anyone committed to all-round excellence.

Early Life and Armed Forces Roots

Prarthana Sarkar was born into a family deeply rooted in the Indian Armed Forces. Her father, Lt. Col. T.S. Sarkar of the Indian Army, provided a formative environment of discipline, integrity, and service. Growing up, she often looked at her father’s uniform with admiration and aspired to one day wear a similar one with pride.

Typical of defence families, her early years involved several relocations — Dehradun, Hisar, Jodhpur, and Gangtok — before the family returned to Kolkata, West Bengal. This mobile upbringing instilled adaptability, resilience, and a strong sense of national identity. She completed her schooling at Army Public School, Kolkata, where she appeared for her Class XII board examinations.

Education and Entry into NCC

Prarthana pursued higher education at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, where she enrolled in an Honours programme in Political Science. Around 2017, as a first-year student, she was already making her mark beyond academics.

During Class XII at Army Public School, Ballygunge, she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Senior Division in the Naval Wing through an open vacancy. This decision marked the beginning of a transformative chapter. The NCC’s emphasis on drill, leadership, physical fitness, and national integration resonated deeply with her upbringing and personal values.

The NCC Journey: From Cadet to All India Best (Navy) 2016

Prarthana’s NCC tenure was characterised by exceptional commitment and outstanding performance. She participated in a highly competitive five-month selection camp in Kalyani (August to December), where cadets underwent progressive elimination through stringent physical, mental, and leadership assessments. Only the most resilient advanced.

Her pinnacle achievement came at the Republic Day Camp (RDC) in Delhi in 2016. Representing the West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate, she competed against cadets from 17 directorates across India. The evaluation spanned multiple demanding parameters:

• Precision drill and turnout
• Shooting proficiency with the 7.62mm Self-Loading Rifle (15 rounds at 50 metres in lying, kneeling, and standing positions)
• Written tests, group discussions, and a personal interview with the Director General of NCC
• Cultural and leadership qualities, including her role as emcee for a national integration programme

Prarthana emerged as the All India Best Cadet (Navy) 2016 — the first Navy girl cadet from the West Bengal and Sikkim directorate to receive this prestigious national honour. She was awarded the Governor’s Medal in recognition of her achievements. During the camp, she had the rare privilege of briefing senior dignitaries, including the then Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari, the Chiefs of the three armed forces, the Defence Minister, and meeting the Hon’ble Prime Minister.

She was also selected as a Youth Delegate under the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) to represent India in Russia, further broadening her international exposure and understanding of global youth leadership.

These accomplishments were not merely titles; they reflected the NCC’s core objective of building character, confidence, discipline, and a positive attitude — qualities that would later prove invaluable in her public life.

The Pageant Chapter: Crowned Femina Miss India West Bengal 2018

Drawing upon the discipline, poise, and articulate presence developed through NCC, Prarthana ventured into the world of beauty pageants in 2018. On 22 March 2018, during the East Zonal auditions held in Kolkata, she was crowned fbb Colors Femina Miss India West Bengal 2018. She succeeded Shivankita Dixit and emerged victorious among strong regional contenders.

The judging panel included actor Bonny Sengupta, supermodel Subhasree Ganguly, and acclaimed film director Srijit Mukherji. Former Miss World India and Bollywood actress Pooja Chopra was appointed as her mentor for the national finale.

Prarthana represented West Bengal at the national fbb Colors Femina Miss India 2018 pageant in Mumbai later that year. Her participation was marked by a clear sense of purpose. She used the platform to advocate for gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the philosophy of “Beauty with a Purpose.” She emphasised creating awareness about equal rights, addressing stereotypes, and empowering women to support one another.

Her defence background and NCC experience gave her a distinctive edge — a rare combination of military bearing, intellectual depth (from Political Science studies), and graceful communication.

Personal Philosophy, Interests, and Aspirations

Prarthana describes herself as strong, principled, persevering, and determined to pursue her dreams while upholding the integrity and values of the nation. Her parents, particularly her mother, have been her strongest pillars, instilling moral values and unwavering support.

Core interests include painting, writing, reading, singing, blogging, horse riding, and trekking. These pursuits reflect a balanced personality that values both creative expression and physical adventure.

Her guiding philosophy is encapsulated in her favourite quote: “Just Like the morning sun, keep on rising till the sky knows your name.”

She has consistently expressed that the limit to achievement is infinity and that one must maintain a continuous quest for diverse experiences. Among her deepest aspirations is the desire to represent India on international platforms and to experience donning the olive green uniform of the Indian Army along with the blue beret associated with United Nations peacekeeping duties. Gender equality and creating a more tolerant, secular, and inclusive society remain causes close to her heart.

Beyond the Crown: Professional Evolution

Following her pageant success, Prarthana Sarkar transitioned into roles that leverage her unique combination of skills — leadership forged in NCC, communication honed through pageantry and emceeing, and academic grounding in political science. Professional profiles describe her as a:

• Personality coach and content editor
• Motivational speaker and soft skills trainer
• Model, writer, and campaign consultant

She has applied her experience in resource management, international relations exposure, and public engagement to training and development work. Her journey demonstrates how the all-round development encouraged by NCC and the confidence gained through pageants can translate into meaningful civilian careers focused on leadership development and communication.

Legacy and Inspiration for Defence Aspirants

Prarthana Sarkar’s story holds particular resonance for young people preparing for defence careers and SSB interviews. Her path illustrates several key lessons:

• NCC as a foundation: The Corps builds not only physical fitness and drill but also leadership, discipline, secular values, and the ability to perform under pressure — qualities directly assessed in SSB.
• Versatility matters: Excellence in one domain (NCC) can open doors in seemingly unrelated fields (pageantry, training, content) when paired with purpose and adaptability.
• Purpose-driven approach: Whether in uniform or on a public platform, she has consistently emphasised contribution, empowerment, and national values.
• Continuous growth: From cadet to state title holder to professional coach and speaker, her trajectory reflects lifelong learning and the courage to embrace new challenges.

Her achievements serve as a powerful reminder that the olive green (or naval white) uniform represents values that remain relevant long after one’s cadet days. For aspirants, her journey underscores the importance of all-round development — academics, extracurricular leadership, communication, and a clear sense of purpose.

Prarthana Sarkar continues to inspire through her example of disciplined excellence and purposeful living. From the parade grounds of the Republic Day Camp to the stage of Femina Miss India West Bengal, she has shown that with integrity, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in one’s potential, the sky is indeed the limit.