The Indian Military Academy (IMA), the supply line of finest military leaders in the world kept up its tradition to provide young officers to Indian Army and the armies of friendly nations when a contingent of 459 (382 Indian and 77 Foreign) young officers passed out from its famed portals on Saturday. This passing out contingent was part of 144 Regular, 127 Technical Graduate and 27 University Entry Scheme Courses and included 77 Foreign Gentlemen Cadets (FGC) from nine friendly foreign countries.
The parade smartly led by Gentleman Cadet (GC), Surendra Singh Bisht rolled out at the tarmac of the historic Chetwode drill square on Saturday morning after the markers call was sounded from atop the Chetwode building.
The parade marched in perfect harmony to the melodious tunes of ‘Col Bogey’, ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha’ and ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’ and was regularly applauded by the large number of military and civil dignitaries and family members of the newly commissioned officers for its immaculate turn out, synergy and enthusiasm of the GCs.
The parade presented a ceremonial guard of honour to the Chief guest and the General officer Commanding in Chief of South Western Command (GOC in C), Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson, the IMA Commandant Lt Gen S K Jha and Deputy Commandant of IMA, Major General G S Rawat. In his address, the chief guest and reviewing officer of the parade, Lt Gen Mathson complimented the passing out contingent for a very good parade and drill constitutes the bedrock of discipline and it is discipline which is essential for winning battles.
Remembering his own time as cadet in the IMA, the RO exhorted the GCs to reject mediocrity to excel in their professional life. He said that Indian army is apolitical and secular in character and unity in diversity is its motto.
The RO presented awards to the outstanding GCs after the parade. The prestigious Sword of Honour was handed over to Akshat Raj for being the GC adjusted best all around among the GCs of Passing out Course (POC). The Gold medal for standing First in order of merit in Regular course was presented to Surendra Singh Bisht while Silver medal in Regular course was handed over to Kauslesh Kumar Sinha.The Silver medal for GC first in order of merit in Technical Graduate Course was presented to Karan Singh while Sherzad Sarbaj of Afghanistan the best Foreign Gentlemen Cadet (FGC) of the POC.
The Chief of Army staff banner was handed over to the Keren Company for standing first among 16 companies of academy in the spring term-2019.After the POP, the newly commissioned officers headed to the sprawling Somnath stadium for the peeping ceremony. In this ceremony the proud parents of these officers put the epaulets on their shoulders. The young officers then took oath to serve the nation till their last breath.After the peeping ceremony celebrations erupted in the stadium as the young officers congratulated each other. They jumped, performed energetic push-ups and hugged each other celebrating their new status as officers of the Indian Army.