Prashant Gurung’s Journey to the Indian Army Continues Three Generations of Gorkha Service

Officer Cadet Prashant Gurung’s path to the Indian Army is shaped by a family history deeply tied to military service, but his own progress has come through personal effort as much as inheritance. Raised amid the traditions of the Gorkha soldiering community, Gurung grew up with the Indian Army as a living part of family life, not just an institution to be admired from afar. For him, the olive-green uniform represents the continuation of a legacy defined by discipline, courage and sacrifice.

The Gurung family’s connection to the Army reflects the broader Gorkha recruitment tradition from Nepal, a long-standing military association known for honour, loyalty, courage and valour. Those values were not abstract ideas in Prashant’s upbringing. They were embodied by relatives and mentors whose service gave him an early and personal understanding of what military life demands.

Among the strongest influences on his journey was his maternal grandfather, Honorary Captain Bhagat Bahadur (Retd) of 6/5 Gorkha Rifles. His distinguished service, operational experience and the medals he earned during his career left a lasting impression on the family. For Prashant, his grandfather’s record offered one of his earliest examples of what dedication to the nation looks like in practice, and what it means to wear the uniform with responsibility.

That military influence did not stop there. Prashant’s father, Havildar Bimal Gurung (Retd), served for 24 years with 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force). His long career in the regiment provided another close and everyday example of Army life, reinforcing the importance of discipline, integrity and commitment to duty. Growing up in such an environment helped shape Prashant’s own outlook and gave structure to his ambition to become an officer.

His father’s unwavering service and disciplined approach became qualities Prashant sought to emulate. The values he absorbed at home were not limited to stories of military life; they were visible in the way his family had lived and served. That environment created the foundation for his decision to pursue a career in uniform.

Another important figure in his journey was Lt Col Raja Gurung, an alumnus of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and an officer of 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force). As a close family friend and mentor, he gave Prashant yet another example of professional military service. His career and achievements strengthened Prashant’s determination to follow the same path.

A defining moment came during Prashant’s school years at Cambrian Hall, Dehradun, when he had the opportunity to interact with the late General Bipin Rawat. The encounter left a strong impression and helped turn an ambition into a firm goal. For a young student already surrounded by military influences, the interaction gave added clarity to his wish to join the Indian Army.

General Bipin Rawat’s own rise through the armed forces and his appointment as the first Chief of Defence Staff made him an especially powerful example for young Indians aspiring to serve. For Prashant, meeting him during school years became a personal and memorable point of connection with the profession he wanted to enter.

But a strong family background alone could not secure a place in the Army. Like every aspirant, Prashant had to prove his own leadership, determination and suitability for service. The route demanded focus, preparation and the ability to push through moments of doubt and difficulty.

He eventually earned his recommendation at the Services Selection Board through sustained dedication and effort. The achievement was more than a procedural step; it showed that he had converted years of inspiration into performance and had met the standards required for officer selection.

His SSB recommendation represents the culmination of a long process of preparation and self-improvement. The family legacy gave him a strong base, but it was his own persistence that carried him forward. In that sense, the milestone belongs both to the military tradition he inherited and to the personal effort he invested in pursuing it.

For the Gorkha community, Prashant’s journey also reflects the continuity of a respected military tradition. Generations of Gorkha soldiers have served with distinction in the Indian Army, and that tradition has endured through strong regimental identities and a persistent emphasis on courage, loyalty and comradeship.

As he moves ahead in training, Prashant now stands at the point where family history must be matched by his own leadership and professional competence. Becoming an officer means doing more than carrying a respected surname; it requires building an identity through service and responsibility to those under command.

His story brings together three generations of military influence: his maternal grandfather’s service in 6/5 Gorkha Rifles, his father’s 24-year career in 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force), and the guidance of Lt Col Raja Gurung. The interaction with General Bipin Rawat added another important layer during his school years. Together, these influences shaped the path that led him to officer cadetship.

Yet the legacy he carries forward is now joined by his own achievement. By securing his recommendation at the SSB through focus, dedication and determination, Prashant Gurung has taken a significant step towards writing his own chapter in a family story already closely linked with military service.

As he continues through officer training, the expectations that come with his background will be matched by the responsibilities of his future role. The values of courage, resilience, loyalty and service that shaped his upbringing will now have to be reflected in leadership and professional excellence.

From the stories of service he heard while growing up to his own journey towards the olive-green uniform, Prashant Gurung’s path reflects the endurance of the Gorkha military tradition and the power of family example. His achievement is not only about following a legacy, but about earning the right to carry it forward through his own service to the nation.