Army gets 601 new officers

Parwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 13

In an impressive passing-out parade at the Indian Military Academy today, 665 gentlemen cadets (GCs) donned the stars on their shoulders and became army officers.

Saturday marked the red-letter day in the lives of these GCs, including 64 foreign Gentlemen Cadets, as they realised their dream of becoming the men in olive green. Crisply dressed in their ceremonial dress, standing against the striking red and white Chetwode hall, the cadets presented an inspiring passing-out parade, bringing tears in the eyes of several onlookers.

The parade began with the GCs entering the freshly prepared freshly tarmac-coated drill square on the tune of IMA song ‘Bharat mata teri kasam’. Led by Academy Adjudant Lt Col Sudhakar Thakur, mounted atop Rustam, the cadets marched to the tunes of ‘Saare jahan se acha’ and the Army song. As the cadets took ‘antim pag’, towards the end of POP, nostalgia hit the audience as the band played ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

Reviewing Officer General Sher Mohammad Karimi, Chief of General Staff, Afghan National Army, congratulated the GCs and said those trained here were the best soldiers in the world.

The General said; “While serving you should take sound decision and perform the duties to the best of your abilities. When in doubt or dilemma draw your strength from the teachings at the academy. You should set an example and always lead from the front.”

Delhi lad gets the sword

Bhanu Pratap Singh, hailing from Delhi,  bagged the prestigious sword of honour after being adjudged the best all-round cadet of the passing-out course.