The Indian Military Academy (IMA) kept its tradition of supplying fine young officers for the Indian Army and to the armies of friendly foreign countries when 454 Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) passed out from its portals after a majestic Passing out Parade (POP) on Saturday. These officers were part of 139 Regular and 122 Technical Graduate courses of IMA.
On cold winter morning the parade led by the Gentlemen Cadet (GC), Pratyush Kumar Mohanty marched to the drill square when markers call was sounded by five markers stationed atop the historic Chetwode hall.
The parade marched in perfect harmony to the tunes of “Col Bogey” and “Sare Jahan Se Acha”. The synergy and enthusiasm of the cadets during the parade was regularly applauded by audience which consisted of military officers, their families, Government officers and family members of the newly commissioned officers. A ceremonial guard of honour was presented to the Chief Guest and Reviewing Officer (RO), the deputy Chief of Army Staff, lt General NPS Hira, the IMA Commandant lt Gen S K Saini and the Deputy Commandant IMA, Major General Mandeep Singh.
In his address the RO said that the Gentlemen Cadets were receiving their commission at a time when the world is facing threats of an asymmetric nature.
“The Emergence of non-state actors and extreme entities is definitely going to be a serious challenge for the future. In the face of such testing times one needs to be professionally competent and ready to adapt oneself to emerging technologies while facing adversities squarely with a smile,’’ he said.
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454 Gentlemen Cadets pass out from IMA
The RO said that Indian troops are the best in the world as they have ability to win the wars. He said to the young officers that the troops may not be educated but they have a unique ability to read the officer commanding them.
After the parade the RO presented awards to the GCs. The prestigious Sword of Honour was handed over to Pratyush Kumar Mohanty 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 Malla Ram Gopal Naidu while the Silver medal in Regular course was handed over to Suyash Gupta. The Kumaon Regiment Bronze medal for GC standing second in order of merit from the regular course was presented to Pratysuh Kumar Mohanty. The Silver medal for GC first in order of merit in Technical Graduate Course was presented to Deepak Singh while George Prince Karki of Nepal was bestowed with Silver medal for being the best Foreign Gentlemen Cadet (FGC) of the POC. The Chief of Army Staff banner was handed over to the Alamein Company for standing first among 16 companies of academy in the autumn term- 2016.
A spectacular picture was visible when an army helicopter flew past the drill square throwing petals over the marching contingent when it entered the Chetwode building for the ceremonial Antim Pag (last step). This step marks their metamorphosis into an officer of Indian Army from cadet of academy.
After the POP, pipping ceremony was held at Somnath stadium. The young officers took oath to serve the nation. Just after these ceremonies the stadium erupted in celebrations as young officers celebrated their new status as officers of India Army.