The Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun is a perfect model for all military and Sainik schools in the country for maintaining high possible standards in education, said the Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar while addressing the 178th graduation ceremony of RIMC here on Monday. He asked those running these institutions to increase the seats for enrollment while assuring that funds would not prove a hindrance as far as the infrastructure up-gradation is concerned.
Parriikar went around the school campus and witnessed horse riding and shooting being performed by the cadets.
lavishing praising on the well-kept ambience of the campus, Parrikar said it had sent him to a nostalgic mode, bringing memory of his college days at IIT Mumbai. “It should be a model for Army schools. For this, increasing enrollment capacity of the cadets is an imperative. The number of cadets to be included in a batch can be increased from 20 to 35. I am not saying that you must increase right now. But it can be done in the next three to four years. I, on my part, assure you that funds would be no bar to the initiative,” he said.
Stressing on discipline, he said quality and discipline should not be compromised under any circumstances. “The nation needs disciplined leaders not just in defence but in every sphere of civil life as well,” he said.
Appreciating the RIMC cadets’ performance in NDA, Parrikar said that the cadets should keep dreaming so that they work later to realise the dreams. “Do dream and never give in to adversities,” he said, addressing the cadets.
later, he gave away various awards to the deserving cadets. Twenty two cadets passed out from RIMC on Monday. The most coveted of the awards “The Sword of Honor” was bagged by Cadet Captain Sachin Kumar.
The GOC UB Area Trophy for the Best in leadership also went to Cadet Capt Sachin Kumar. The Wavell Sword for this term went to Section Commander, Cadet Paras Singh.
A trophy instituted by lt Gen SS Dillon for being adjudged the “Best in Attitude” from the passing- out course was awarded to Section Commander Rohan Basnett.
Col D H Parab Trophy is awarded to a cadet Prasanjeet Mehta who is adjudged “The Most Helpful Boy”. Chetan Kumar bagged the cadet BEST in Informatics’.
The Graduation Ceremony began with the ‘Wreath laying Ceremony’ where Parriikar and chief of the Integrated Staff, Air Marshal PP Reddy laid wreath at the War Memorial before entire RIMC fraternity.
The Union minister had a quick view of the hobby display organised by the cadets. later, he joined for a high tea with cadets and the members of the faculty. He also met the parents of the passing- out cadets.
Other dignitaries who were present on the occasion were Admiral BK Verma, Maj Gen S Sabharwal, Mr Tarun Vijay , Brig BB Thapa (Rtd), Col Aruna Mamgain (Rtd) and Wing Commander Deepak Ahluwalia.