Son of labourer who earned Rs 100 per day now an officer

DEHRADUN: The Indian Military Academy's Passing Out Parade was alive with the crackle of marching boots and the murmur of proud families. Among the newly commissioned officers, one story seemed to weigh heavier in the air: Lt Kabilan V, a 23-year-old from a small village near Madurai stood with quiet dignity as his father, Vetriselvam P, looked on from a wheelchair. The older man's hands, worn from years as a daily wage labourer, rested idly on his lap, his body semi-paralysed by a stroke he suffered three months ago after hauling an unforgiving load. Beside them was a framed photograph of Panmaiyammal, Kabilan's late mother, whose death three years ago from cancer and Covid-19 marked a profound absence in the family's small circle of triumph.
For Kabilan, the path to this moment had been steep and unyielding. "I failed so many times," he said, the weight of those years softened by his hard-won smile. "But I had to get into the defence forces, and I did it. This is not just my personal success; it belongs to everyone who aspires to join the Indian Army. If someone like me, the son of a daily wage labourer who earned Rs 100 a day, can make it, then anyone can."
Growing up in the dusty lanes of Melur village in Tamil Nadu, Kabilan attended a govt school before earning a degree in civil engineering from Anna University. He chased a dream many deemed too far-fetched for him. Year after year, he applied to the Army, exploring every entry category - from NCC to Graduate entries - and faced rejection at every turn. Still, he persisted. "Courage inspires me," Kabilan said, distilling his journey into a phrase as unassuming as the man himself.
But courage was not all he had. After losing his mother, Kabilan took on the duty of supporting his family. His younger brother was preparing for the civil services, and their father's health was failing. Kabilan balanced his studies with a demanding job as a waterboat supervisor under Delta Squad, a voluntary rescue squad under the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
"He had to sustain his family while chasing his dream," said Sub Lt (Retd) Sugal Esan , Kabilan's mentor, who attended the ceremony to witness the moment. "During the Chennai and Kanyakumari floods, he was part of our rescue team. Along with other volunteers, he saved almost 200 lives."
The dual responsibilities of work and study would have crushed many, but he held firm. "I would go for work from 10 am to 4 pm, and after returning home, from 6 to 10 pm, I would do my studies with a group of students aspiring to crack this prestigious exam to join the forces," he said. That effort and sacrifice eventually bore fruit. His uniform now bears the insignia of the Para regiment-a mark of his next chapter in the Army. "Learn things, fail better, and you will get success. Your determination and perseverance are the keys to your entry door to success," he said.