Diglipur, Feb.13: Two girl students from PM SHRI GMSSS Sitanagar brought laurels to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands by representing the Union Territory at the prestigious National Army Quiz 2026 held in Lucknow on February 8.
Ms. S. Yasmin Begum and Ms. Trisha Hawlader of Class XII first qualified through the online round and went on to emerge as winners from the South Zone, which comprised participants from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Their victory earned them the opportunity to compete at the national-level event in Lucknow, where winners from six zones across the country participated.
The young participants from the northernmost region of the UT described the experience as memorable and inspiring. During the event, senior Army officers appreciated their keen interest and passion for the Indian Army, especially when the students expressed their aspiration to join the Armed Forces. The officers commended their self-motivated preparation, noting that the duo had learned about the quiz through the official Indian Army website and independently prepared to reach the national stage through sheer dedication and hard work.
Sharing her experience after returning from Lucknow, a student of Science stream Yasmin Begum said the quiz had further strengthened her resolve to pursue a career in the Indian Army. She described her interactions with senior Army officers during the event as deeply motivating. Yasmin also expressed happiness over the assurance reportedly given by a senior Army General that efforts would be made to introduce Girls’ NCC units in Diglipur schools, a demand she had placed during the interaction.
She conveyed her gratitude to her school teachers, the Deputy Education Officer, and especially to her mother, Mrs. S. Ramala Begum, who accompanied the students from Diglipur to Lucknow and supported them throughout the journey. Reflecting on the event, she said the quiz provided a rare opportunity to understand the philosophy of the nation’s defence forces and to interact with participants from 36 teams representing six zones of the country.
The entire travel expenditure from Diglipur to Lucknow and back was borne by the Indian Army.