Sergeant Enrica Da Costa (left) seen with her mother Sancha D’Mello Da Costa.
Driven by her family’s rich military legacy, 13-year-old Sergeant Enrica Da Costa from 1 Goa Battalion NCC (Junior Wing) in Panaji has only one ambition in life “ to carry on the family tradition by becoming an officer in the Indian Army.
Da Costa has already taken a big stride forward in this direction by recently winning the Overall Best Cadet award of her battalion and at the Inter Group Competition Republic Day Camp (IGC-RDC) of the Karnataka & Goa NCC Directorate, which was held in Ballari, Karnataka, and had participants from neighbouring districts of Goa.
In fact, she was the only Junior Wing (JW) cadet from Goa representing at the extremely tough and prestigious IGC-RDC.
A ninth-grade student and Head Girl of St Anthony High School, Monte de Guirim, Enrica said that while the competition level at the camp was very stiff, the quality of training imparted by her instructors at the 1 Goa Bn NCC held her in good stead.
“The IGC-RDC is an annual training camp held by the NCC. The camp is a culmination of all training activities. Before the RDC, selected cadets of Group Headquarters participated in the IGC. The camp gives a lot of exposure and allows us to showcase our talent in front of a huge number of fellow cadets who come from diverse backgrounds,” Enrica said.
Speaking about her future plans, the youngster said she would be joining the NCC Senior Wing in college and then pursuing a career in the Army.
“I have a long and rich tradition wherein my forefathers served in the armed forces. My paternal great-grandfather, the late Major (Dr) Albert da Costa FRCS, served with the Royal British Indian Army with distinction in the First World War in the Middle East Theatre. My maternal grandfather, the late Pilot Officer Floriano D’Mello from Curtorim, served with the Portuguese Air Force. My paternal grandfather, the late Brigadier Ian Da Costa, served with the Indian Army and fought in the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars,” she informed.
“I want to preserve the rich military history of my family by joining the Indian Army after my graduation. I want to make my family, state and country proud. I appeal to all my fellow students to join the NCC as it builds your character and makes you a responsible citizen,” she said, thanking her school, parents and the NCC officials for her success.
Enrica’s mother, Sancha D’Mello Da Costa, said that while it was not easy to be the mother of a girl NCC cadet, she was nevertheless proud of her daughter’s feats.
“In the current academic year itself, she has attended six NCC camps, demonstrating her dedication and commitment. Being the mother of an NCC cadet is not easy. Preparing her for camps, ensuring her well-being upon returning, and helping her to catch up with her studies are very demanding, yet deeply fulfilling, as she is growing into a strong and confident leader. She draws inspiration from her family lineage of military service,” she said.
Col Jesus Furtado, Commanding Officer of the 1 Goa NCC, said, “Cadet Enrica is focused, determined and hardworking, and that is what makes a leader and role model for others to emulate and follow.”
