Punjab cadet among three who 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 have 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.

Two other cadets, Academy Under Officer Majji Giridhar and Battalion Under Officer Ashish Kumar also received three awards each. Of the total of 18 individual medals and trophies awarded for the top positions in various categories at the awards ceremony of 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.

Addressing the cadets, Lt Gen Harinder Singh, Commandant IMA, said the country demands willing, unhesitating, unfaltering obedience and loyalty from each young officer. He said that 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 is 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. In the profession of arms, it is always a collective and a team effort that is important as there are no runners up in war.

The training imparted at IMA is designed to provide a comprehensive knowledge of military fundamentals and leadership, as well as proficiency in basic military skills. It aims to develop the qualities of character, intellect, fitness and competence needed by future ready officers who at all times in their career must be prepared to lead.

While the COVID-19 outbreak disrupted training in most educational institutes in the world, IMA implemented an effective action plan by integrating all preventive guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, Army Headquarters and the Army Training Command.  A healthy routine was evolved for the cadets and staff and it was ensured that there was no dilution in training standards.

Sidhu got the Parachute Regiment Medal for being best in endurance and physical toughness, Maratha Light Infantry Medal for being best in PT and the Rajputana Rifles Medal for being best in tactical ability.

Giridhar received the Brigade of The Guards Medal for being best in service subjects, Jat Regiment Silver Medal for being best in officer-like Qualities and the Sikh Light Infantry Silver Medal for being best in turnout and drill.

Kumar received the 9 Gorkha Rifles Medal for standing first in military studies, the 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.

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