To become a successful business leader after leaving the Army is not easy. Capt Rakesh Wahi has made his mark in the boardroom, and transitioned into a successful business leader in the field of investments, education and media in Africa. His passion and his contributions in philanthropic activities deserve to be brought to fore.
Captain Rakesh Wahi has had many ups and downs in life. He joined the National Defence Academy in July 1976 as part of the 56th Course. On commissioning into the Corps of Engineers (Bombay Sappers) in June 1980, he was posted to 113 Engineer Regiment. He learnt many leadership lessons and understood the need to look after his troops and to be with them through thick and thin. The regiment was deployed for construction of the second nuclear test site (one of India’s most prestigious defense projects) that culminated in the second nuclear tests in Pokharan (in 1998). At that time, he had a near death experience, and was declared clinically dead after a nasty electrocution while building an underground shaft. Prompt evacuation to Jodhpur revived him and he was decorated with the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in August 1985, perhaps the youngest officer to receive the VSM. This experience did not dampen his risk-taking propensity. After the degree course, he joined India’s 7th Scientific Expedition to the Antarctica where his team built the foundation of India’s second base at Maitri. He was greatly influenced by Ayn Rand, whose books he read voraciously. These influences nudged him into seeking a new career, and in September 1988, Wahi took pre-mature retirement and stepped out of uniform to test his destiny; a decision his father vehemently opposed.
