Brave martyred alumni paid tribute at IMA war memorial

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 9

The wreath-laying ceremony was held at the war memorial at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here on Friday. The solemn ceremony is held every term as a precursor to the passing-out parade. The remembrance ceremony is to pay homage to the brave alumni of this prestigious training academy who had laid down their lives in keeping with the highest tradition of sacrifice upholding the honour of the nation.

Lt Gen SK Saini, Commandant, IMA, along with officers and the Academy Under Officer, on behalf of the passing-out course, laid wreaths and offered floral tributes to the gallant martyrs.

The sanctum sanctorum of the War Memorial is a seven and a half feet bronze statue of a Gentleman Cadet saluting with a sword. To the rear of the statue are designed arches on which are etched the names of 832 valiant alumni, who had sacrificed their lives till date. On this formal occasion, 454 cadets passing out tomorrow took the resolve to keep the nation’s flag flying high.

Sound and light show

The Indian Military Academy (IMA), on the eve of passing-out parade, organised a sound and light show for distinguished guests Lt Gen NPS Hira, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&T), parents and family members of the Gentlemen Cadets of the passing out course here today. The sound and light show took place at the historical Chetwode Drill Square which provided the pristine environment for the conduct of the event. The spectacular show commenced with exhibition of Continuity Drill by the Gentlemen Cadets (GCs). The contingent comprised of 72 participating cadets bidding farewell to the senior colleagues, through activities that included a masterly display of drill movements synchronized with an accompanying band. Following the continuity drill was the spectacular “Son-et-Lumiere”(sound and light show), a multimedia, audio-visual presentation on the theme “Indian Military Academy Through the Ages” which took the audience on a nostalgic journey of the Academy from its inception to its present status.

The show combined with the effects of brilliant light and sound mesmerised the gathering.