M A I N   N E W S

Indian Military Academy’s Passing-out Parade
534 officers pass out
Sandeep Rana/TNS

Sweet success

Gentlemen cadets at the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun celebrate after the passing-out parade on Saturday. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Dehradun, December 11
With the batch of 534 gentlemen cadets (GCs) crossing the “Antim Pagh” to step into the Chetwode Hall of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the nation’s Army got 518 officers and also achieved the milestone of producing over 50,000 officers.

Out of the total passed-out GCs, 518 will join the Indian Army while 12 are from the Assam Rifles and four are from Bhutan.

The prestigious institution has so far trained over 49,959 officers for the service of the nation. After today’s passing-out parade, the IMA would have trained and commissioned 50,475 officers of the Indian Army.

The GCs today put up an impressive parade on the drill ground of the IMA. The parade started with the sound of a bugle at 8:45 am which signalled the company majors to take their position on the drill square.

This followed the advance call which signalled to the enthusiastic GCs to start marching towards the drill ground. Just as the signal was given, proud gentleman cadets on the tune of the motivating IMA song “Bharat Mata Teri Kasam Tere Rakshak Rahenge Hum” marched into the drill square.

Gajender bags Sword of Honour All award winners were given awards by the Chief of Army Staff Gen VK Singh. The Sword of Honour, which is awarded to the best all-round GC, was bestowed upon Gajender Kumawat. Jaidev, Gajender Kumawat and Gaurav Singh were awarded the gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively. For standing first in the order of merit from the technical graduate course, Sachin Kisan got the silver medal. Arun S Anand walked away with the silver medal for standing first in the order of merit from the TES-16 course. The prestigious COAS Banner was presented to the Keren company.

The young officers showed tremendous enthusiasm, vigour and zeal to put up an excellent parade before an august gathering. Gen VK Singh, Chief of the Army Staff, who was the reviewing officer (RO), entered from the main gate on the Patiala coach.

He, accompanied by IMA commandant Lieut-Gen RS Sujlana, reviewed the parade. The RO also inspected the guard of honour given by the GCs.

Later, the gentlemen cadets gave a salute to the reviewing officer at an impressive and immaculate march past on the tunes of “Col Bogey” and “Sare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara”.

Following this, all cadets marched into the Chetwode Hall crossing the Antim Pagh (final step) as helicopters showered petals on them to congratulate them on becoming new officers in the Army.

After the POP, the piping-in ceremony was held. Proud parents of new officers pinned up the stars on their wards’ shoulders. The new officers were also administered the oath there.

As the function concluded, the new officers hugged and wished one another and bid adieu to their academy.

“From today, you are a leader. Don’t think of the future and enjoy your present. Otherwise, you will spoil your present. The present is a gift that is why it is called present,” said the Army chief VK Singh in his address to the newly commissioned officers.

The reviewing officer congratulated all young officers for choosing this noble profession.

Bunker Row
Army chief denies apologising to J&K
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 11
Chief of Army Staff, General Vijay Kumar Singh, denied apologising to the Jammu and Kashmir Government over a press note, which criticised the state for removing bunkers. He said that it was an individual’s view.

The Chief said the Army had not apologised to anyone and it must have been personal. “That is not the view of the Army, it is somebody’s personal view. Even the Army Commandeer in Kashmir has told they have not apologised and it is a personal view,” he said on the sidelines of the passing out parade at the IMA.

He was referring to the controversy over a statement by the Northern Command Army Commander criticising the stand of the state government on removal of bunkers from Kashmir valley.

On women training at the IMA, Singh said women were not trained for combat, worldwide, and that not many women were at the jawan level. He maintained that in the next five to 10 years, the number of women cadets would increase.

“We have an Officers Training Academy where women cadets are trained and they are given permanent commission, as per requirement.

Talking on the several scams that rocked the Army, the Chief said action was taken against all those who were involved in the Tehlka issue. “We ensure that our tables are clean and house is in order. Anybody defaulters are taken to task,” he said.

The Chief played down the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan saying they would happen shortly and there was no need to panic. “To lessen such incidents, there is a procedure being followed. We hold regular flag meetings with our counterparts and disuses the issue. The violations are only happening in a few places,” he said.