Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 26: National Cadet Corps (NCC) PO cadet Lisha D Suvarna from St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Vamanjoor, Mangaluru has been conferred with the Defence Minister Commendation Award, the highest accolade bestowed upon NCC cadets in the country, in recognition of her outstanding dedication, leadership, and service.
The prestigious award was presented by honourable defence minister Rajnath Singh on January 24 at the Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2026 campus in New Delhi. This year, only six cadets across India were honoured with the award, and Lisha stands out as the sole Navy-wing cadet to receive this distinction nationwide.
Lisha has made remarkable contributions to the NCC through her active involvement in research-driven projects and their implementation at the grassroots level. Beyond her NCC commitments, she has been dedicated to social service, training underprivileged students in physics, chemistry, and English. She is also culturally accomplished, having trained in Bharatanatyam and Carnatic singing.
A native of Kulur, Mangaluru, Lisha is the daughter of Dejappa Bangera and Mallika. She is currently pursuing her bachelor of engineering in the department of Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) at SJEC and had also participated in the Republic Day Camp in the previous year. According to officials, Cadet Lisha was among the top five cadets in the country to successfully complete the RDC, earning the title of 'Best Cadet Navy (Senior Wing)' from the Karnataka–Goa Directorate. She further received the prestigious All India 'Best Flag Area Briefer' award from the chief of the army staff, Gen Upendra Dwivedi.
Lisha has actively participated in national-level NCC activities, including cultural competitions, drills, written examinations, interviews, and firing exercises, showcasing her all-round excellence, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the organisation. Her remarkable achievement has brought immense pride to the South India NCC community, highlighting the growing national prominence and excellence of cadets from the region on the national stage.
SJEC thanked the NCC Navy unit & Cmdr Ashwin Rao, commanding officer of 6 KAR Naval unit, NCC for the exemplary mentorship, support and intensive training imparted to her throughout the journey.
The management of SJEC, deans & HODs, faculty members and students of SJEC wholeheartedly have congratulated NCC Cadet Lisha D Suvarna on her exceptional and highest-level achievement of being conferred with the Defence Minister’s Commendation Award.