Air Chief Marshal and ADC Chief of the Air Staff BS Dhanoa on Thursday exhorted the cadets who graduated from the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) this year “to imbibe the skills and face this techno-driven warfare squarely and effectively”.
Speaking after reviewing the Passing Out Parade (POP) of 136th NDA Course at Khadakvasla near Pune, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said: “Modern warfare has become the by-product of modern technological advancement. The improvement in the range and power of fire-arms and combat-gear; the introduction of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, and the advent of sophisticated electronic and night-fighting capabilities has transformed the range and tempo of warfare”.
“The extensive use of digitized communication and high-tech sensors at operational level; real time battlefield-surveillance; target acquisition and reconnaissance has made it complex and multi-dimensional. Eventually, you have to imbibe the skills and face this techno-driven warfare squarely and effectively,” he said.
As many as 291 cadets graduated from the NDA on Thursday. Of the total graduated cadets, there were 218 cadets from the Army, 34 cadets from the Navy and 39 cadets from the Air Force. The graduated cadets included 15 Army cadets from the friendly foreign countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tajikistan, Maldives and Papua New Guinea.
The highlight of POP was that cadets from the first B Tech Course of the NDA graduated on Thursday. “I am aware that the Academy has undertaken a number of new initiatives resulting in the vibrant change, clearly visible in all spheres of activity. In fact the first B Tech Course of NDA is passing out today,”Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.
Complimenting the newly graduated cadets for their “elegant turnout, impressive march-past and precision in drill”, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa also lauded NDA for “carving a niche for itself amongst the leading military institutions of the present world”.
“The undaunted penchant for perfection in consonance with an insatiable drive for innovation has earned the NDA a pride of place. It has not only taught the basics of leadership to over 37,000 cadets including 900 plus from friendly foreign countries, but also groomed them in the facets of synergized warfare,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.
“Seven decades of dedicated service to the nation is no mean achievement for an institution like this, which comes rarely in the life-time of a nation. NDA’s tryst with destiny and its quest for excellence has moulded many great leaders of valour,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.
While divisional Cadet Captain Sandeep Koranga won the President’s Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit, Battalion Cadet Adjutant Divyam Dwivedi won the Silver Medal for standing second in the overall order of merit.
Battalion Cadet Captain SKS Chauhan won the Bronze Medal for standing third in the overall order of merit. ‘Kilo’ Squadron bagged the prestigious ‘Chiefs of Staff Banner’, for being the Champion Squadron which was presented during the parade.
