Newly-promoted Subedar Major Jitu Rai doing duty in Manipur, says ever ready to serve country

Not content material with bringing dwelling solely sporting laurels, one in all India’s most achieved shooters, Jitu Rai, has taken to serving the nation as a newly-promoted Subedar Major within the Indian Army at present posted in Manipur. The honest man that he’s, as acknowledged by his coaches, the 33-year-old brushed up his information about one in all India’s most delicate areas earlier than taking off for the northeast.

It’s been a month since Rai joined his regiment — 11 Gorkha Rifles — in a state that has, previously, endured insurgency.

“You must have read it (insurgency in the northeast), I read about it and I know we have to be on guard all the time. I am immensely proud about that. I am loving my job, how many people get such opportunities,” Rai instructed PTI.

As a “fauji”, he’s additionally a protecting a tab on the developments on the Indo-China border and, with none hesitation, stated he can be able to go to the entrance if the decision comes.

“This is what Subedar Major does, they lead teams at the front where they play a critical role, and I am always ready to serve Indian Army, serve my country,” stated the 2016 Khel Ratna awardee, who was honoured with the Padma Shri this yr.

To a query on worry, Rai’s immediate retort was, “No, there is none.

His wife and a 14-month-old son are currently stationed in Indore, where Rai was posted before he was asked to leave for Manipur.

“I miss them very much but then this is what I have chosen to do and I love doing this. I speak to them regularly and I will go and meet them again when I am allowed to take leave.””My work right here is totally different,” Rai, who has to put on protecting vests throughout mock drills, stated.

Winner of a number of medals at high worldwide occasions, together with World Championships, Asian and Commonwealth Games, the Olympian is comfortable in his new task.”I prefer it very a lot, and furthermore, I’ve typically visited the northeast previously so I’m effective right here.”And the eagerness for the brand new job has made taking pictures secondary.”Army is first precedence for the time being and taking pictures is second. But I do my dry follow and carry my pistol wherever I am going.”Though he has not been capable of style success in taking pictures for some time, Rai is continuous to follow arduous and has his eyes skilled on a comeback.

“I have not done that badly and I am still in national ranking in air pistol. I am trying my best and I am confident that I will be able to do well again,” stated the a number of world cup gold-winner.

“I will train hard for a comeback into the national team and also aim for the Olympics,” Rai, who reached the ultimate of the Rio Games in 2016, added.Rai by no means forgets to thank his seniors within the Indian Army who inspired him to take up taking pictures critically, the results of which was half a dozen world cup medals, together with two gold, a world championship silver, two Commonwealth Games gold, and a few medals on the Asian Games.

Born in Nepal, Rai migrated to India and joined the Army in 2006.