Shaurya Chakra recipient Capt Pradeep Arya shares his recipe for success

Capt Pradeep Shoury Arya was decorated with Shaurya Chakra, India's third-highest peacetime gallantry award, on Republic day this year. Moneycontrol spoke to this Indian officer from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), also the only one to have the honour of simultaneously serving the Ministry of Finance and the Defence Ministry, about his achievements, and his journey so far.

A modest man, Captain Pradeep Shoury Arya is immensely thankful to his family, and the department for their support. He said “I am thankful that income tax department gave me chance to work with Army also simultaneously with Income tax department."

When asked how it feels to achieve the Shaurya Chakra, an esteemed bravery award in the country changed his life, he said “The entire department is congratulating me. Even Central Board of Direct Tax chairman Sushil Chandra called to congratulate me. But, I am still thinking why I was selected for this award since, in that operation, everybody had given their hundred percent."

On what keeps him inspired, he said, ‘You have to keep thinking of a higher and higher path for yourself that helps you as well as the whole nation to grow."

Captain Arya has always been known for his good work. During his Post Commission Training at Indian Military Academy [IMA], Dehradun, he was adjudged the Best Officer Trainee in the overall order of merit, and awarded the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose gold medal. Capt Arya is also a recipient of the 2013 National Award for Best Electoral Practices instituted by the Election Commission of India for effectively controlling large quantities of cash during elections in Karnataka and the North-Eastern State of Nagaland.

Capt Arya, belongs to the 2004 Batch of the Indian Revenue Service and is currently posted as the Additional Commissioner of Income-Tax, International Taxation, Mumbai.  He holds a Masters degree in Sociology, a Masters in Business Administration, a Masters in Law, a Masters in Taxation, and a Phd (Doctorate ) in Sociology.

Capt Arya, a father to two lovely daughters, loves to write, and plans to write on his experiences in the Army and the Indian Revenue Services.

Although he regrets his busy schedule leaves him with little time for his family, he also considers himself lucky to be part of a joint family as it gives him the scope to do all that he wants to without having to worry much.

Interesting facts about the gallant warrior

- Capt Arya was commissioned into 106 TA [Parachute Regiment], Infantry Battalion, through the Territorial Army Entry, after clearing the Service Selection Board [SSB] Examination, Bhopal.

- As part of the Special Forces (Parachute Regiment) at Northern Command, Udhampur, Capt Arya generated sufficient Intelligence in coordination with the Indian Army and other Statutory Authorities to launch special operations for neutralizing terrorists/ militants.

- He has been conferred the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation, in recognition for his devotion to duty/ distinguished service for contribution in investigation and tracking money laundering and flow of funds, for terrorism and anti-national activities in the hostile state of Jammu & Kashmir.

- He has been awarded the *Shaurya Chakra* for Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism (CICT) Operations as part of *Parachute Regiment (Special Forces),* for valour and gallant action in the face of enemy.

- He is also a commercial pilot and has been awarded *Private Pilot's License Scholarship* from the NCC Directorate, Karnataka and Goa.

- He has passed the National Eligibility Test [NET] Lectureship and awarded the University Grants Commission [UGC] Fellowship to pursue Doctoral Programme.