Captain Somesh Shrivastava

Captain Somesh Shrivastava was born on 23 September 1971 in the Samastipur district of Bihar, into a close-knit and accomplished family. He was the son of Shri Madan Lal, an eminent engineer who retired as the Chief Engineer of the Bihar State Electricity Board. The youngest among six siblings—his elder brother Suresh and sisters Usha, Kiran, Vibha, and Abha—Capt Somesh was cherished by the entire family. As the youngest and the apple of everyone’s eye, he grew up in an atmosphere of affection and encouragement. Loving, caring, and cheerful by nature, he won hearts effortlessly with his warm smile and positive disposition. Captain Somesh completed his schooling at Loyola High School, Patna, where he laid a strong academic foundation. He then pursued his Intermediate studies at Saint Columbus College, Hazaribagh. Coming from a distinguished family of engineers, and with a father who had achieved great professional heights, it was naturally expected that Capt Somesh would follow in his father’s footsteps. While he respected his family’s aspirations and understood their expectations, his own dream was shaped by a deep and early sense of patriotism. From a young age, he was inspired to join the Indian Army and dedicate his life to serving the nation.

 

Balancing his personal aspirations with his family’s wishes, Capt Somesh chose to pursue Civil Engineering at the Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune. He successfully completed his engineering degree, demonstrating both academic competence and disciplined perseverance. Yet, his childhood dream of wearing the uniform remained alive and unwavering. Determined to turn that dream into reality, he joined the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, in 1994. The rigorous training at the academy tested his physical endurance, mental strength, and leadership qualities—qualities he embraced wholeheartedly. Upon successful completion of his training, he was commissioned in June 1996 into the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. He was posted to the 15 Engineer Regiment, which was then stationed under the Eastern Command. Beyond his professional life, Captain Somesh also fulfilled a cherished personal dream. In October 1999, after serving for a few years, he married his fiancée, Riya Nehra, whom he had met during his training days at Dehradun. Their union marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life—one that beautifully blended his dedication to duty with the warmth of family life.