Lieutenant Umesh Keelu, a resident of Mumbai’s Dharavi slum, achieved a significant milestone as he was commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army. The passing-out parade for Lieutenant Keelu took place at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai on Saturday, marking a momentous occasion in his inspirational journey.
PRO Defence Mumbai shared a video of Lieutenant Keelu during the parade, highlighting his remarkable achievement despite facing numerous challenges. In the video, Lieutenant Keelu expressed his pride in becoming the first officer of the Indian Army from his background, hoping to inspire others to join the armed forces.
In a statement, PRO Defence Mumbai said, “Meet Lieutenant Umesh Keelu as he becomes an officer in the #IndianArmy today. Growing up in a tough neighborhood of #Dharavi Mumbai, the officer has overcome many challenges & is all set to #ServeTheNation.”
Umesh Keelu’s upbringing in the Dharavi slum presented challenges, with his family residing in a small 10-by-five-foot home. The family faced financial struggles when his father, the sole provider, suffered a stroke in 2013, further intensifying their difficulties.
Despite these hardships, Umesh Keelu pursued his education through scholarships during both graduation and post-graduation. He worked at TCS for three years while simultaneously preparing for the Services Selection Board (SSB). After 13 attempts, Umesh successfully made it to the armed forces.
Umesh Keelu faced personal tragedy when his father passed away shortly after he began attending the academy. Despite the setback, he returned to the academy after performing the death rites in Mumbai. Determined to fulfill his parents’ ambitions, Umesh worked hard and achieved his dream of becoming a commissioned officer in the Indian Army.
