The writer is an economics student. He tweets @ajzeb
On August 9, 2013, Pakistan’s Corporal Asad Mushtaq not only graduated from the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, but also bagged the highest award presented there — the Sword of Honour.
This institution was founded back in the 18th century as a part of the British Army; it works as an officer training academy. It takes around 10 per cent of its cadets from overseas and is one of the oldest military academies in the world — one that has seen iconic figures like Sir Winston Churchill and Field Marshall Ayub Khan.
As an overseas cadet, attendance at the Sandhurst military academy is only possible through an arrangement with the army of the country of residence and it is, without a doubt, considered a huge honour to be selected for military training at this prestigious academy.
The Sword of Honour is given to the cadet who is deemed the best by the commandant, on the basis of performance during training. It is pertinent to understand that training at the Sandhurst academy is of the highest quality and is extremely competitive. It has elements of theoretical as well as practical military operations. Pakistan’s Ahmed Raza Khan won the sword back in 2006, followed by Muhammad Talha Zahid who won it in 2012 and now Mushtaq has won it this year — a true moment of pride for Pakistan.
As someone who grew up in a household that has traditionally been part of the armed forces, I know that for those who are a part of the armed forces to be considered even as a nominee for the Sword of Honour is a matter of great prestige. Winning this award can safely be termed one of the biggest achievements of a young officer’s career.
When I read that Mushtaq had won the Sword from Sandhurst, I understood what he must have felt at the time. To be presented with the sword by the Countess of Essex and to feel a sense of pride surging through his body as sheer adrenaline, all his training and hard work had finally paid off — and in the best way possible.
Training at this academy is not for the ordinary Joe. All aspects of your mental and physical limits are tested here. Exercises involve digging trenches (and you are not allowed to sleep before the task is finished), 70km hikes and so on. You’re allowed only 15 minutes for breakfast and mobile phones, facial hair and chocolate are all strictly forbidden. Cadets have to follow this rigorous routine for a full year every day, without any breaks.
Suffice it to say that not everyone can achieve what Mushtaq did, as the amount of intellectual and physical capacities required to achieve this award are beyond measure.
I, for one, am in awe of these Pakistani cadets who go to a foreign military academy, one that hosts cadets from armies all over the globe, and yet, they are able to win this award. This speaks volumes of the sort of capability Pakistan has. They, thus, deserve a high level of recognition and praise for their achievements — this is the very least we can do.
Mushtaq, who dedicated this award to his country, and is soon coming home to serve in the 57th cavalry of the Pakistan Army, is a hero, and I wish him the best of luck for an incredible future.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (30)
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Respect to Corporal Mushtaq but LAME LAME article - put together from wikipedia and here n there. The least you could have done to make this substantive is get a perspective from Mushtaq's family or Sandhurst itself. LAME! Tribune for god's sake don't be Print Media's Geo!!
@Ali Jehanzeb: we should be proud of Asad because he is a Pakistani officer who trained in Pakistan and was so brilliant that he was sent to one of the best military academies in the world and came out on top. . Errr. Not exactly. At any one time, Sandhurst has up to 10% foreign enrollment from around 30 countries mostly from Middle East and Africa. Oman sends a lot of cadets to Sandhurst. . Out of this 10%, one foreign soldier is given the "Foreign Sword of Honor". The other 90% Brits make do with one or two "Swords of Honor".
@sb:
Yes of course I was impressed, not by the foreign institution, but by Asad who got a sword from this historical site with a 200 year history. It doesn't matter what India does, best of luck to them. Asad is the topic of debate, it doesn't matter who sends their cadets there or not, what matters is that this guy is brilliant not because he went to Sandhurst but because he was brilliant so they sent him to Sandhurst, which as historic an institution as Cambridge.
@Hella:
You're right, but this is just the appreciation of the fact that Asad went on their turf and bested them and won their respect. We should not be proud of Asad because he got the Sword from the Countess or the Queen, we should be proud of Asad because he is a Pakistani officer who trained in Pakistan and was so brilliant that he was sent to one of the best military academies in the world and came out on top.
@Ali Jehanzeb, Thanks for your reply. My point is that it would be nice to read an article about a cadet who has topped in a Pakistani military academy. Like somebody mentioned about flaunting foreign degrees, it would be nice if homegrown training, education and degrees can also be lauded and equal pride taken in them. As Pakistan, unlike Australia, is no more ruled by the Queen, an award by President of Pakistan, should evoke greater pride.
@Ali Jehanzeb: Please permit me to recount an episode relating to the famous Urdu poet Akbar Allahabadi . A gentleman visiting Akbar Allahabadi sent in his visiting card . The qualifications B.A. were handwritten in an otherwise printed card . The gentleman had perhaps obtained the degree after the cards were printed but was keen to convey that he had indeed cleared his B.A. Akbar Allahbadi saw the humor in the situation and wrote on the reverse of the visiting card : Janab BA pass hai toh Banda bhi Bibi pass hai .
Ali , my comment was not at all aimed at you but a reflection on the mindset in our entire sub continent .You write well .I had enjoyed your article .
@Ali Jehanzeb: You did not mention your degree but seem to be very impressed that someone did well at Sandhurst because it is a foreign institue of learning. You will notice that India and Chinado not feel the need to send their officers to UK and US.
@Nadir:
Nope, proud day for Asad Mushtaq, we should be proud of him.
@Hella:
You mentioned this on the blog too, check reply there.
@hemant:
Did not mention my degree, aren't you generalising?
'It looks to be a sign of lack of confidence in the education that the institutions in Pakistan provide'
Nope, it's more to do with actually having those degrees.
@np:
It's in the Blog section as well, I guess, I write too well. Ha!
@Hement agreed ..... i remeber before so called colonist occupation india economic power untill 1700 after 1947 india was world 2% economy it seems was sucked like mango of Saharanpur....
@aqib: It was never India's intention to "proceed beyond Kargil". By not escalating, India demonstrated that it was a responsible mature power, in contrast to Pakistan (that is why even the "sweeter than honey" Chinese cut off Musharaff at the knees when he tried to get their support). In addition, the Kargil misadventure sanctified the LOC, demonstrated that Pakistan's nuclear status will not deter India from defending itself. It was also the first time that the United States came out openly on the side of India, starting a chain of developments that has culminated in a partnership important enough for the two countries to sign a nuclear deal.
Strange. Pakistan does not seem to have good enough training academies, so cadets need to be sent to Sandhurst. Britannia still rules, Pakistan at least. Watch the youtube video of Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1950s. Pakistan is mentioned as one of Great Britain's dominions. Hope its not the same in 2013.
Salutations to Asad Mushtaq for this achievement. But is it possible that our cadets are doing well at RMA simply because they have already undergone a year's training at the PMA? Not to take anything away from our cadets but arent our cadets pretty much repeating what they have already learnt at PMA?
@Ali Tanoli: Pakistan it appears tends to hold people who have a British or a US degree in awe . Please notice all writers in this paper in their short introduction will always indicate their foreign degree in case they have one . It looks to be a sign of lack of confidence in the education that the institutions in Pakistan provide . This disproptionate awe displayed indicates a feeling of inferiority .
@np; I don't like going into mind numbing mud-slinging matches, but what I meant was that India will never ever break off any part of Pakistan again. And it was because of the 'Deterrent' that Indians could not proceed beyond kargil. They just can't take the risk of crossing the international boundary. One more thing -the Indians invaded in Nov. 1971 on the eastern front, while on 3rd December the PAF retaliated on the western front, so we were initially invaded in the east.
Iconic figures like Ayub...hahaha
@Ali Tanoli:
Did you perhaps, click on the wrong article?
Certainly makes the country proud. Though if the pattern holds, soon the Indians will be leaving comments celebrating 1971 once again, on this web site. And why is it that they always point to this...because they can never have it Repeated, thanks to the 'Most Effective Deterrent'.
Soldiers dying fighting terrorist, please negotiate with terrorists. Soldier gets sword of honour from the British monarch, such a proud day to be Pakistani.
Mash-Allah..
@Author : Please check the following Article in the Express Tribune August 12. 2013 : . Pakistani cadet awarded 'Sword of Honour' at Sandhurst . http://tribune.com.pk/story/589459/pakistani-cadet-awarded-sword-of-honour-at-sandhurst/ . Pakistan Army cadet Coporal Asad Mushtaq was awarded the prestigious “Sword of Honour” for overseas cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), in England. . In any case Congratulations are in Order to Pakistan Army cadet Coporal Asad Mushtaq. .Cheers
He is the hope for our martial future in the sub-continent. I can picture Afghans and Indians are getting wet in their pants with this news..
I thought slavry is no more exist in the world but i was wrong??
Amazing! You've done your country proud! Wish you immense success in the future as well :)