PNS | DEHRADUN
The ranks of the Indian Army got strengthened on Saturday as 456 young officers joined its ranks as officers. After a spectacular passing out parade (PoP) these young officers passed out from the historic portals of Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. The passing out contingent belonged to 155 Regular Course, 44 Technical Entry Scheme and 138 Technical Graduate Course of IMA.
Apart from them the passing out contingent included 35 Gentleman Cadets from 13 friendly foreign countries.
A marker’s call made from the top of the historic Chetwode hall marked the commencement of the majestic parade. The parade marched in perfect harmony to the tunes of ‘ Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’ and ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha’. The synergy and enthusiasm of the cadets during the parade was regularly applauded by the audience which consisted of military officers and family members of the newly commissioned officers. It is pertinent to mention here that the parade on Saturday was 155th PoP of IMA and more than 200 cadets from Nepal have passed out from the academy.
The chief of the Army staff, Nepal, Suprabal Jansewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel was the chief guest and Reviewing Officer (RO) of the PoP. A ceremonial guard of honour was presented by the parade to him.
In his address, the RO thanked the chief of the Army staff, Indian army, General Updendra Dwivedi and government of India for this distinct honour. As the honorary General of the Indian Army, he expressed that the opportunity to review PoP was particularly meaningful for him.
General Sigdel mentioned 37 years ago, he too had experienced a similar feeling of elation and satisfaction. Quoting Chanakya he said, “Your karma will decide your future. Hence trust that you will progress, by the merit of your actions, rather than your credential. You are the future of the great forces represented here and the warriors of tomorrow.’’
The chief guest presented the prestigious sword of honour to Jatin Kumar while the Gold medal for standing first in order of merit was conferred on Pratham Singh.
The Silver medal for standing second in overall merit in regular course was handed over to Jatin Kumar while Bronze medal for GC standing third in order of merit from the regular course was presented to Mayank Dhyani. In the Technical Graduate Course, Chirag Yadav was presented with the Silver medal for standing first in overall merit while Mahipal Singh was given Silver medal for standing first in overall merit in Technical Entry Scheme. Prabin Pandey (Nepal) was presented with the Bangladesh medal for being the best Foreign Gentlemen Cadet (FGC) of the POC. The Chief of Army Staff banner was handed over to the Jessore Company for standing first among 12 companies of the academy in the autumn term- 2024.
After reviewing the Parade, the RO offered floral tributes to the brave alumni of IMA in the wreath laying ceremony held at the War Memorial of the academy.
When the marching contingent entered the Chetwode building for the ceremonial Antim Pag (last step) it marked the metamorphosis of GCs into an officer of the Indian Army from a cadet of academy. After the PoP, the GCs headed to the Somnath stadium for a pipping ceremony where proud parents put epaulets of officers on the shoulders of young officers.
The chief guest exhorted the passing out contingent to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation. He said, “You are just a step away from the historic and magnificent moment of your commissioning into the most elite forces”.
After this ceremony the young officers took oath to serve the nation. These newly commissioned young Lieutenants will now join their respective units all across the country.
