Major C. Teeneshwaran is in his element in the sky. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) pilot has been flying the C-130 aircraft for 15 years and knows its controls, throttle and the low humming of its engines like the back of his hand.
So when he was grounded for 10 months during a military staff course in India, spending most of his time in lecture halls instead of cockpits, there were many times the 36-year-old felt out of his depth.
"It was academically very rigorous and demanding," said MAJ Teeneshwaran of his time in Wellington, Tamil Nadu. "Adding on to the need to adapt to a learning environment and the pressure to perform among a diverse group of international peers... I had to maintain a positive and resilient attitude." He started attending the 79th Staff Course from June 5, 2023, at the Defence Services Staff College, one of India's oldest military institutions.
At a convocation ceremony on April 13, MAJ Teeneshwaran was awarded the Southern Star Medal, which is presented to the best international student officer. A total of 36 international student officers from 27 nations took part in the course.
He is the third Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) officer to receive the Southern Star Medal. Typically, one SAF officer attends the course each year, but it is unclear when officers from Singapore first participated.
The honour caught him off guard, said MAJ Teeneshwaran, who was in the middle of a conversation when his name was announced.
"I just focused on doing everything well," he said of his time in India. "I made sure to do my best and give my 100 per cent for every assignment and, thankfully, that led to me emerging as the top student.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin April 29, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin April 29, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
FINALLY, A FIRST GOLD FOR PERKINS
Patience rewarded for French jockey whose rides, let alone good ones, have been scarce
TOUGH MARE SEALS LAST TOUR DE FORCE WITH A WIN
French fields beckon as Lim’s Force goes out with a bang, leading rare Zaki riding double
Banks' earnings expected to stay strong with higher-for-longer rates
S’pore bank chiefs optimistic about net interest margins, but headwinds remain
Spending spree led by US, EU pushes rivalry with China to critical turning point
WASHINGTON by the United States and European Union have funnelled nearly US$81 billion (S$110 billion) towards cranking out the next generation of semiconductors, escalating a global showdown with China for chip supremacy.
Archegos founder on trial for securities fraud
Archegos founder Bill Hwang was scheduled to go on trial on May 13 for alleged securities fraud and market manipulation, prosecutors said, following the fund's spectacular 2021 implosion that cost large banks billions of dollars.
Changi Airport’s heavy and specialised vehicles to trial use of renewable diesel
As part of a further move to lower the aviation industry's carbon footprint, trials on the use of renewable diesel for heavy and specialised airside vehicles will be conducted at Changi Airport.
Convict deported to Cambodia faces possible extradition to China
Beijing has an extradition treaty with Phnom Penh, but not with S’pore
Sellers welcome option to market resale flats on HDB portal by themselves
They can market their unit at their own pace and save on property agent fees
US gurus’ push false claims to attack birth control pills
They monetise misinformation to hawk healing’ oils and fertility-tracking service
Wildfires in Western Canada spark evacuation orders, air quality concerns
The season’s first major wildfire continued to spread to roughly 10,000ha across Western Canada on May 12 as the authorities issued an evacuation order for a community in British Columbia and warned of poor air quality across provinces.