New Delhi, June 9
The top brass of the Army has expressed its displeasure at the manner some of the cadets passing out of the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun, threw their regimental caps in the air. As per the laid down tradition, the cadets should have only thrown their IMA caps in the air to mark their joy at passing-out parade and not the regimental caps. The IMA has been told about the faux pax that occurred, sources in the Army said.
Throwing of caps in the air is an age-old ritual that the cadets do after they cross the ‘Antim pagh’ (final step) to the Chetwode building at the IMA. From there on they are deemed to be officers.
The caps are thrown to mark their end at the IMA. On Saturday, some of the cadets threw their regimental caps in the air, which ultimately fell on the ground.
The cadets who threw wrong caps in the air to express their joy should have been properly briefed in advance. The respect and significance the regimental caps carry in the Army is high, said sources. One of the senior Army officers, who attended the parade on Saturday, is said to have pointed out the error to the IMA bosses.
The matter was brought to the notice of authorities in New Delhi, who have conveyed their sentiments to the IMA. It is being seen as a note of caution for the conduct of future parades and not some kind of warning, said a source while adding that error was on the part of only “a few cadets”.
There is proper protocol attached to the cap, when it has to be worn and which cap has to be worn when. The regiment is the life long identification for an officer as it conveys what work he is doing.
A lot of pride is associated with key infantry, armoured corps and artillery regiments. It is normally the first point of reference for an officer for his life, even after retiring from the forces.
