Lt-Gen SK Saini, Commandant, Indian Military Academy, lays a wreath at the war memorial of the academy in Dehradun on Friday. The solemn ceremony is held every term as a precursor to the passing-out parade. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 10

A day before the passing-out parade, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the War Memorial of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), here today. The solemn ceremony is held every term as a precursor to the passing-out parade.The remembrance ceremony is to pay homage to the brave alumni of the prestigious training academy, who laid down their lives in keeping the highest tradition of sacrifice, upholding the honour of the nation.Lt-Gen SK Saini, Commandant, Indian Military Academy, along with officers and the Academy-under-officer, on behalf of the passing-out course, laid wreaths and offered floral tributes to the gallant martyrs.The sanctum-sanctorum of the War Memorial is a seven-and-a-half-feet bronze statue of a gentleman cadet saluting with a sword. To the rear of the statue are designed arches on which are etched the names of the 832 valiant alumni, who have sacrificed their lives till date.As many as 610 cadets took the resolve to keep the nation’s flag flying high.