A positive attitude is not a destination but it is a way of life. This story is about a disabled girl who had a wonderful dream. She dreamt of a wonderful sunny day when every eye on this earth would watch her run. She transformed her dream not as an ambition or destination but she made it her way of life. What difference does this make??? Just read it.....

A little girl - the 20th of 22 children, was born prematurely and Her survival was doubtful. When she was 4 years old, she contracted double pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her with a paralysed left leg. At age 9, she removed the metal leg brace she had been dependent on And began to walk without it. By 13 she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle. That same year she decided to become a runner. She entered a race and came in last. For the next few years every race she entered, she came in last. Everyone told her to quit, but she kept on running. One day she actually won a race. And then another. From then on she won every race she entered. Eventually this little girl - Wilma Rudolph, went on to win three Olympic gold medals.

I still remember my schooldays when my teacher asked the students to list their future ambition. Almost 99% of the students wish to be a Doctor or an Enginner. The percentage did not change much when the same question was posed in my intermediate school. Everybody respects the Army, Naval, Air Force and Police officers. But for one reason or the other, we never wanted to be one of them. Here are a bunch of young enthusiatic guys who are aiming high....

'20 years from now, my men will be ready to die for me'
Kartik.S.Manral,21Ambala, Punjab

The army is a family tradition. My father retired as a colonel, my grandfather was in the army, so were six of my uncles -- three are still serving -- and my sister is married to an army officer. I am aware of the expectations that rest on me because of this tradition and I want to join the Brigade of the Guards, just like my dad. It is also the senior-most infantry regiment and has the best uniform. Most of my friends are doing engineering but I had never thought of anything else but service life. My friends tell me that I won't be able to spend lavishly with what I will earn -- and I simply tell them -- "20 years from now, men will be ready to die for me, but not for you."

The NDA changes your perspective about life. You learn to care for your men and country. You learn camaraderie and build lasting friendships. In school you usually have fair weather friends -- 'if you have a bike, I'll come with you' kind of friends but here it is not so. The Academy is not tough -- it is how you take it. One of our toughest exercises is Camp Rover. It is said it the toughest anywhere in the world for this age group but we all made it. You just make it! I have never cried or wanted to go back. Never would I choose another life. People think of soldiers when they watch movies like Lakshya or LOC. In normal life, on the streets there is goodwill for the soldiers but it is not known how hard a soldier has to work. I think the army also gives you a good lifestyle, there is no other place where you can join a golf course, a pool, a gym without having to pay a huge amount. So it does even out.

'We'll die for our squadron'
Abhishek Kumar, 20Muzaffarpur, Bihar

We'll die for our squadron -- I like this spirit we have. In the army you get the respect of your men but for me it is not just that -- I want to earn the respect of my men. I want to be remembered as a good officer. I want satisfaction from my job and that depends on how hard you work. My father is a professor of Music. Most of my friends are studying for engineering, management, some are working with MNCs but I always wanted a life in the army. I feel people outside want a career, they do not want to go far from the comforts of their home and more money is also the reason, but you have to like what you do to do it well. So it is a matter of perspective.

I have spent three years at this Academy. On the premises we are surrounded by the accomplishments of officers who have laid down their lives in the line of duty. We can't do anything less than them -- we can't let them down. I want to join the Parachute Regiment. I admire what they do, the uniform they wear. I take everything as a challenge. Yes, I have seen the film Lakshya. It was about one person's quest to find the aim of his life -- which for him was being a soldier. I've already found my lakshya.The young generation of India is not afraid to grow. We are a young democracy that is growing fast. We are young but we know what our problems are and I think we are trying to work towards them. What pulls us back is lack of personal commitment, I feel. If everyone just concentrates on doing their own job properly, all will be well. That's our biggest solution.

'Success doesn't only mean that you have to be a Bill Gates'
Veerannan.M.Karadi,21Nidagundi village, Karnataka

I am the son of a farmer -- my father grows jowar, wheat, green gram -- but I wanted to join the army. There were two officers from my village who were ex-NDA and they inspired me. I joined the Sainik School in Bijapur and got through the NDA written and medical test in my second attempt. I am the Sergeant of one division in my squadron. I am in charge of 30 cadets and have to ensure discipline. I am in my fifth term and have enjoyed the training -- yes Camp Rover, which is a rigorous endurance test, was tough -- but it has been a very good time for me here.

The infantry is my choice, it is very respected, you get maximum respect from your men, you get decorated for bravery and you face the enemy. It is dangerous but if life is dangerous it doesn't mean we have to be afraid of it. People respect those who are in the defence services, which in itself is motivational. In my village, they treat me very well and it feels very good. I miss village life for the humanity that people have and for its cleanliness. I think we need to concentrate more on our villages, the cities are progressing faster and villages are being left behind. We need better water supply, electricity and education. We need to educate our farmers because it is them that need to be educated more. Success doesn't only mean that you have to be a Bill Gates -- it also means steps like improving your family and your village.