Lt Col Dharamdatt Goel to Serve as Soldierathon Ambassador Ahead of Pune Run
Former SNDT professor from Juhu and Mumbai-based Indian Army veteran Lt Col Dharamdatt Goel has stepped forward as an ambassador for the upcoming chapter of 'Soldierathon', scheduled to take place in Pune on November 15. The initiative invites civilians to run alongside soldiers serving the country, allowing members of the public an opportunity to get to know them better and build direct ties with army personnel.
Goel, known in Mumbai as DD Goel, was once a professor at SNDT in Juhu and had never imagined that a life in the army lay ahead of him. His unexpected path eventually took him from teaching in Juhu into the ranks of the Indian Army.
During his military service, Goel was deployed to Kashmir, where he suffered the loss of a leg. Following the injury, the Mumbai-based veteran turned adversity into inspiration by learning to adapt to a prosthetic leg rather than letting his physical circumstances define his limits.
Goel has actively pursued extreme sports on his prosthetic leg, including paragliding and skiing. By taking on these challenging activities, he has managed to overcome severe physical adversity and maintain a demanding lifestyle, inspiring others through his resilience.
Through his ambassadorship with the Soldierathon, Goel hopes to address the gulf that remains between the military and everyday citizens. He noted that even though India maintains a huge defence budget of nearly 13 per cent, most civilians still experience a disconnect with army life.
Explaining the core purpose of getting civilians and soldiers to run side by side, Goel stressed that increased engagement helps demystify the armed forces. "We hope to bridge that gap so people better understand the services and their opportunities," Goel told mid-day.
The upcoming Soldierathon in Pune on November 15 aims to bridge that divide of disconnect between civilians and the armed forces. In doing so, the event seeks to promote public awareness of military service and career opportunities, while highlighting how Goel turned adversity into inspiration.
