President Pranab Mukherjee reviews a passing-out parade of cadets at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai on September 10, 2016. — AFP
Chennai, September 10
President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said the 21st century is witnessing strife of a very “virulent nature” and called for capable and responsive armed forces to ensure stability and peace.
Stating that security challenges go much beyond conventional borders and threats in the international arena, including a sizeable diaspora, he said, “India requires young men and women to take up the challenge of navigation through troubled waters and work tirelessly and selflessly even at the peril of their lives in the service of country.”
“Our security challenges in fact go much beyond conventional borders and conventional threats in the international arena including a sizeable diaspora to protect in unstable regions in the world, energy security issues and protection of maritime sea lanes,” he said.
Addressing the officers on the occasion of review of the passing-out parade of the summer term at the Officers Training Academy, Mukherjee said the country has reposed faith in armed forces in internal crisis situations, both man-made and natural.
“All these challenges demand a capable and responsive armed forces to ensure stability and peace, so vital for our country on its path of peace and prosperity for all its citizens,” he said.
The 21st century has ushered in its own set of challenges, he said.
“Though turbulence and uncertainty have manifested all along in the history of mankind, this century is witnessing chaos and strife of a very virulent nature comprising asymmetric warfare involving both state and non-state actors,” Mukherjee added.
The Indian Army represents the Instrument of Last Resort, he said, adding that “the acme of a great and powerful army does not lie in the power it can unleash but the manner and dexterity with which it does so”.
Earlier, the President reviewed the impressive parade commanded by Academy Under Officer Varun Singh Chauhan.
Notably, this was the third time in the 53-year-old history of Officers Training Academy in Chennai that the Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces was reviewing the parade.
A total of 269 Officer Cadets, including 217 Gentleman Cadets and 32 Lady Cadets, 19 Gentleman Cadets and one Lady Cadet from the friendly nations, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Lesotho and Fiji, were commissioned as officers following completion of a vigorous training course at the OTA.
Mukherjee gave away the coveted “Sword of Honour” for the best all-round gentlemen/Lady Cadet of the passing-out course to AUO Varun Singh Chauhan.
The gold medal for standing first in Order of Merit was awarded to Battalion Under Officer Alla Shridhar. The silver medal was awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant Divya Tyagi and the bronze medal was awarded to BUO Rakesh TR.
The banner for Champion Company was awarded to Mektila Company.
The Officer Cadets were piped as officers by their parents and the event was followed by an oath taking ceremony and the National Anthem.
The President briefly interacted with the cadets and their parents after the ceremony. — PTI