Leap of Joy: Short Service Commission officers in a jubilant mood after the passing-out parade at the Officers Training Academy in Gaya on Saturday. PTI
A newly-commissioned officer is greeted by his mother, a Colonel, after the passing-out parade at IMA in Dehradun on Saturday. PTI
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat greets newly-commissioned officers in Dehradun. PTI
Tribune News Service
Dehradun/Gaya, June 10
As many as 490 gentlemen cadets, including 67 from 10 friendly nations, passed out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today with Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat reviewing the passing-out parade at the historic Chetwode drill square.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Another 187 cadets passed out from the OTA, Gaya. Among them were 64 of the Technical Entry Course, 33 Special Commission Officers and 90 of the Technical Entry Scheme. GOC-in-C Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh, reviewed the passing-out parade. Earlier, the immaculately turned-out cadets put up a well synchronised parade before Gen Rawat. As the parade started, two Army choppers flew over the drill square to shower rose petals on the tarmac, carpeting it with flowers.Among the 423 Indian cadets, Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest 74, followed by Haryana with 49, Uttarakhand 40, Rajasthan 30, Bihar 28 and Delhi 23.Later, speaking to reporters, Rawat said women need to be given combat roles in the army as terrorists often used women as shields.Awards were presented to the medal winners, which included Sword of Honour and Gold Medal to Avinash Chhetry, who stood overall first in merit in regular course. Vikas Sangwan and Rohit Joshi were presented silver and bronze medals. Wilfred Cprian was awarded silver medal for standing first in order of merit among foreign cadets. He also presented Chief of Army Staff Banner to Singerh Company. These cadets belonged to Tajikstan, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Lesotho, Fiji, Tanzania, Bhutan, Sudan and Kyrgyzstan.
On Chinese incursions It is a matter of perception… We also use intrusions while patrolling. It is vital to have better understanding between two nations, rather than aggravating things
On turmoil in Valley Youths in J&K are being misinformed and misguided by forces inimical to peace. Security forces have to devise ways to counter this… Terrorism is the biggest challenge for us.— Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief
(Above) Cadets celebrate after their passing out prade, and (left) newly commissioned officer Taranjot Badwal (L) salutes his father after getting commissioned in the Indian Army at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun on Saturday
