610 cadets pass out of IMA

Himanshu Kumar Lall

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 11

A total of 610 Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) passed out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today. They took part in an impressive passing-out parade held on the drill square in front of the historic Chetwode Hall, marking the end of their training.  Lt-Gen Sarath Chand, General Officer Commanding-In-Chief (GOC-In-C), South Western Command, and Colonel of Garhwal Rifles, and Garhwal Scouts, was the Reviewing Officer of the parade. 

The fleet of 610 GCs include 425 from 138 Regular Course, including 107 GCs from direct entry, and 140 from 121 Technical Graduate Course, including 24 University Entry Scheme and 45 from six friendly foreign countries.

The parade began with company markers marching on the drill square and forming the inspection line. The eight Company Sergeant Major (CSM), who were company markers of their company, formed the line.

 The physically tough and immaculately dressed GCs in different contingents entered into the drill square on the tunes of the academy song “Bharat Mata Teri Kasam”, “Col Bogey” and “Sare Jahan Se Achcha”. The contingents were led by Parade Commander Academy Cadet Adjutant (ACA) Rajendra Singh Bisht.

Lt-Gen Sarath Chand along with IMA Commandant Lt-Gen SK Saini inspected the parade. The most-awaited ceremonial march past began with smartly dressed-up GCs of the passing-out course from different companies of the academy exhibiting their drill skills.

In the address to the pass-out course cadets, Lt-Gen Sarath Chand urged them to keep themselves updated about modern warfare as the latest lethal weapons and advance technologies were capable of more casualties. He said the pre-commissioning training would help them to face any adverse situation.

“Your juniors will blindly follow you, if as young officers you lead them by setting examples,” he said. It was the need of the hour to remain professionally competent and adept yourself as the situation demands in war or peace time. 

Lt-Gen Sarath said young officers should work hard to learn new military technologies and strictly take care of men behind weapons. Later, he gave away prizes to GCs who excelled in military training, academics, sports and extra-curricular activities during the pre-commissioning training.

ACA Rajendra Singh Bisht won the most coveted “Sword of Honour” for being adjudged the best from the regular course and the bronze medal for standing third in the order of merit. BUO Aman Dhaka wont the gold medal for standing first in the overall order of merit from the regular course while SUO N Dinesh Kumar won the silver medal.

Among the technical entries, GC Avijit Hazra Chowdhury won the silver medal for being adjudged second in the order of merit while FGC Choki Dorji from Bhutan bagged the silver medal. The Chief of Army Staff Banner was given to “Imphal” Company for being adjudged the best company among all companies of the academy. Later, emotions 

ran high among the parents and relatives of the GCs of the passing-out course as they started towards the ‘final step’. Three helicopters showered petals on the GCs as they headed towards Antim Pag (final step), Chetwode Hall. The day ended with the peeping-in and oath-taking ceremony.