In yet another most impressive Passing-Out-Parade held in Indian Military Academy on Saturday, a total of 631 Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) and 74 Foreign Gentlemen Cadets (FGCs) from eight friendly countries took “Antim Pag” (Final Step) through the portals of the historic Chetwode Hall of IMA.
Amid gathering of proud parents including top brass from the defence forces and drizzling, the GCs stepped out as vibrant and young leaders of the Indian Army. Out of the fleet of 631 GCs, 390 GCs were from 132 Regular Course, 204 from 115 Technical Graduate Course — including 21 University Entry Scheme and 37 from 21 Technical Entry Scheme. Additionally, 74 FGCs from eight friendly countries, which is the highest number since the formation of Academy also passed out. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall, NAK Browne was the reviewing officer.
The parade began with the company markers marched on the drill square, in front of Chetwode Hall and formed the inspection line.
The Parade Commander, Academy Under Officer (AUO) Siddhant Suhag, entered to the drill square on the tunes of academy song- “Bharat Mata Teri Kasam”. Smartly dressed-up young GCs in different contingents entered into the drill square. IMA Commandant lt Gen Manvender Singh was given “General Salute”.
later on, Review Officer Air Chief Marshall NAK Browne was received by Commandant and was given Guard of Honour. Browne, along with IMA Commandant and Parade Commander AUO Suhag, inspected the parade. After the inspection, the ceremonial march past began in which contingents of smartly dressed up GCs of passing out course, from various companies of Academy participated and displayed their marching skills on the tunes of ‘Col Bogey and Sare Jahan Se Achacha.’
later, after congratulating parents of the passed out cadets for offering the nation the gift of fine young officers, Air chief NAK Browne urged the passed-out cadets to broaden horizons and interact and make friends with counterparts from the other services.
He said that India’s future operational experiences will invariably be joint operations where, in addition to the specialised core competence of each service, the degree of synergy among the services will be a key determinant of the final outcome.
He said that bonds of camaraderie that they have established with their course mates here will continue to grow stronger with the passage of time.
“The President’s commission which you earn today is richly deserved. You have earned it through your grit and single-minded determination. The rigours and regimen of the training imparted to you have been extremely challenging -- both physically and intellectually,” he said, adding that today is also a tribute to all the proud parents and guardians present here for instilling in their wards a spirit of selfless service and motivating them to join the Indian Armed Forces.
The Air Chief also gave away prizes to GCs who excelled during their pre-commission training. The most coveted “Sword of Honour” was bagged by AUO Siddhant Suhag. The gold medal was bagged by Battalion Under (BUO) Officer Vikash Kumar, whereas silver medal was bagged by Academy Cadet Adjutant Sahil Kerni, Wing Cadet Captain Salil and Junior Under Officer Prateek Dhankhar. The bronze medal was given to BUO NN Janardhan. The Chief Of Army Staff Banner was awarded to Keren Company, Bhagat Battalion for standing overall first in the Term. Despite the fact that the event was delayed by nearly one and half hours due to thundershowers, emotions ran high among the parents and relatives of GCs of the passing out course as they started towards the ‘Final Step’. The day ended with the peeping-in and oath taking ceremony.