Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 7

Nepalese Army Chief General Rajendra Chhetri will be the reviewing officer for the June 9 passing-out parade at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.Inviting army chiefs of friendly SAARC countries for reviewing the parade has been a tradition of Indian Military Academy. Bangladesh Army Chief had come to review the last passing-out parade. This is because a large number of Gentlemen Cadets from friendly countries come to the Indian Military Academy for training. The friendly countries include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. As many as 74 foreign Gentlemen Cadets will be passing out this time.The Nepalese Army Chief will also be awarding Sword of Honour and other medals while reviewing the parade of 142 regular cadets, 125 technical graduates course cadets and 25 cadets from the university entry schemes. The Nepal Army Chief’s visit comes at a time when the 13th edition of joint Indo-Nepal military exercise is taking place in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.Gen Chhetri, who will be reviewing the parade as part of his six-day visit to India, is also scheduled to meet Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval apart from the three chiefs of the Indian defence forces. Gen Chhetri is visiting India on the invitation of Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat.In June 2014, then Nepalese General Gaurav Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana was invited to review the passing-out parade.Meanwhile, in run up to the June 9 passing-out parade, the Commandant’s parade was held at the Indian Military Academy on Thursday. Indian Military Academy Commandant Lt Gen SK Jha reviewed the parade. He complimented all Gentlemen Cadets for an immaculate turnout and excellent drill movements, which he said indicated a high level of motivation, pride and cohesion achieved by them during their training at the Indian Military Academy..

The tradition

• Inviting Army chiefs of friendly SAARC countries for reviewing the parade has been a tradition of the Indian Military Academy. The Bangladesh Army Chief had come to review the last passing-out parade.