Cadet from Ludhiana among 3 to bag top honours at IMA
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 9
A cadet from Punjab is among three soon-to-be Lieutenants, who bagged top honours in various fields during their pre-commission training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.
Academy Cadet Adjutant Watandeep Singh Sidhu, who hails from Threeke near Ludhiana, received three medals for excellence in physical endurance, PT and tactical ability. He had joined the National Defence Academy, Kharakvasla, in November 2016 and after completing the three-year course in 2019, proceeded to the IMA.
Excels in endurance, PT & tactical ability
- Cadet Adjutant Watandeep Singh Sidhu, who hails from Threeke near Ludhiana, received three medals
- Sidhu got Parachute Regiment Medal for best endurance and physical toughness, Maratha Light Infantry Medal for PT and Rajputana Rifles Medal for tactical ability
Two other cadets, Academy Under Officer Majji Giridhar and Battalion Under Officer Ashish Kumar also received three awards each. Of 18 individual medals and trophies awarded for top positions in various categories at the awards ceremony the ‘Autumn Term – 2020’ held today, the three bagged 50 per cent of the awards.
Cadets of this term, comprising the 147th Regular Course and 130th Technical Graduate Course, will formally pass out from the academy on December 12. The courses include 325 Indian and 70 foreign cadets.
Sidhu got Parachute Regiment Medal for being best in endurance and physical toughness, Maratha Light Infantry Medal for being best in PT and Rajputana Rifles Medal for being best in tactical ability.
Giridhar received Brigade of The Guards Medal for being best in service subjects, Jat Regiment Silver Medal for being best in officer-like Qualities and Sikh Light Infantry Silver Medal for being best in turnout and drill.
Kumar received 9 Gorkha Rifles Medal for standing first in military studies, Corps of Signals for standing first in Science and Warfare and Rajput Regiment Silver Medal for being best in academics. The Commandant’s Banner for standing overall first in inter-battalion championships went to the Bhagat Battalion.
Lt Gen Harinder Singh, Commandant, IMA, said, “The country demands willing, unhesitating, unfaltering obedience and loyalty from each young officer. Leadership is composite of a number of qualities, among the most important of which are self-confidence, moral ascendancy, self-sacrifice, fairness, initiative, decision, dignity and courage.”
The Commandant said it was important for an officer to maintain a competitive streak within the parameters of sportsmanship and fair play at all times. He mentioned that the urge to win and excel as a team should always be there.
The training imparted at the IMA provides a comprehensive knowledge of military fundamentals and leadership, as well as proficiency in basic military skills. It aims to develop qualities of character, intellect, fitness and competence needed by future ready officers who at all times in their career must be prepared to lead.
