Sunday, 13 June 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
84 FGCs of 9 friendly countries also pass out from portals of IMA
The Indian army received a shot in its arm on Saturday when 341 youths joined its ranks as officers after passing out of the portals of the Indian Military Academy (IMA). The passing out contingent of 148 Regular Course (RC) and 131 Technical Graduate Course (TGC) also included 84 Gentlemen Cadets (GC) from nine friendly foreign countries.
The parade which commenced with the marker’s call made from the top of the Chetwode building marched in coordination on the symphony of the military tunes of “Col Bogey” and “Sare Jahan Se Acchha”. At the end of the parade, the passing out contingent crossed the Antim Pag (the last step) which heralded the start of their career in the armed forces.
The reviewing officer (RO) of the parade was the General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC in C) South West Command, lieutenant general RP Singh. He congratulated the GCs on successful completion of their training at IMA. Lt Gen Singh complimented the instructors and GCs for the excellent parade, immaculate turnout as well as the crisp, synergised drill movements indicating high standards of training and discipline imbibed by the young leaders.
The parade presented a ceremonial guard of honour to the RO who presented awards to the outstanding performers . The prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ was presented to Battalion Under Officer (BUC) Mukesh Kumar for being adjudged the best all round GC in the passing out course.
While addressing the passing out course, the reviewing officer, exhorted all to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and said, “These are extremely challenging times while the world battles with the Covid-19 pandemic and witnesses a host of varied conflicts across the world. You are stepping into an era typified by disruptive technologies, blurring definition of threats, expanding domains of conflict and an interplay of multi-polar complexities. The external and internal challenges that our nation faces from adversarial forces are only set to increase as we rise to take our destined place in new global order.” Congratulating the 84 FGCs from nine friendly foreign countries the RO said, “As you step into the folds of the army, every bit of what you have imbibed here shall be put to test and each one of us have complete confidence that you shall come out with flying colours. This is a momentous occasion which shall be etched in your memory and treasured forever by you. The bonds that you have forged here shall bind our countries together and guide our partnerships ahead in this complex, yet inter-connected globalised world. We must work and move forward with our strong belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam.’’
The parade was preceded by a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the academy war memorial in which the GCs and officials of academy remembered its 883 martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of the nation through the years and all committed themselves to follow the same path of bravery and selfless courage.
