IMA – The Institution where Boys are Groomed into Warriors – Spring Term POP 2017

Picture Courtesy: Sumit Sharma

IMA : Indian Military Academy is the prestigious institution which is known for producing brave and gallant officers.

Till now IMA has produced over fifty nine thousand officers, who have made our nation proud.

For the third time I got the opportunity to cover the Passing Out Parade (POP).  It was special this time, because chief of Army Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat was the reviewing officer.

Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy

 

Passing out Parade of IMA takes place twice in a year: Spring term and Autumn Term.

490 GCs of 140 Regular Course, 123 Technical Graduate Course and 25 UES Course, including 67 Foreign Gentlemen Cadets from Ten friendly foreign countries passed out from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun on 10 June 2017. Gen Bipin Rawat, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of Army Staff reviewed the parade. The GCs displayed tremendous enthusiasm, vigour and zeal, putting up an excellent show, marching to Military tunes of `Col Bogey’ and `Sare Jahan Se Achha’ with pride and élan.

Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy

General Rawat is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Kadakwasla. He was commissioned into India army in December 1978. Gen. Rawat during the span of over span of 38 years of service has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC; COAS Commendation of two occasions and the Army Commander’s Commendation.

During his address he congratulated young officers on successful completion of their training. Gen. Rawat also congratulated Instructors and support staff for grooming Gentlemen Cadets into the finest officers. Gen .Rawat also motivated young officers to perform their duties with utmost bravery and honesty.

The Reviewing Officer presented the following awards:-

Picture Courtesy: Sumit Sharma

• The coveted award of the Sword of Honour and Gold medal(for the GC standing First in the Overall Order of Merit )was presented to Academy Cadet Adjutant Avinash Chhetry .

Picture Courtesy: Sumit Sharma

 

• Silver Medal for the Gentleman Cadet standing Second in the Order of Merit was presented to Battallion under officer Vikas Sangwan.

 

• Bronze Medal for the Gentleman Cadet standing Third in the Order of Merit was presented to Junior Under officer Rohit Joshi.

 

• Silver Medal for the Gentleman Cadet standing First in the Order of Merit from Technical Graduate Course was presented to Junior Under officer Akshay Singh Bisht.

 

• Silver Medal for the Gentleman Cadet standing First in the Order of Merit from Foreign GCs was presented to Seargant Wilfred Cyprian Lyakurwa.

• Chief of Army Staff Banner was awarded to Singarh Company for standing Overall First amongst 16 companies for the Spring Term 2017.

Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy

 

After the Piping ceremony Young Cadets took oath to safeguard the country till the peril of their life. It was moment of pride for the parents. There were few third generation young army officers who carried forward the legacy of their fathers and grandfathers.

Picture Courtesy: Sumit Sharma

Picture Courtesy: Sumit Sharma

 

During his media briefing General Rawat said the that the misinformation spread by social media in the valley is responsible for growing terrorism in the valley. He further added that the army is required to maintain peace in the valley.

Picture Courtesy: Sumit Sharma

Answering the question wether women can be a part of combat forces, he said that Army is looking forward to involve women in combat need, as there is a need of an hour. It will help in counter insurgency operations as in many cases terrorists use women as their shield.

The Army Chief shows optimism in resolving Indo-China borer dispute through a proper mechanism.

Gen. Rawat also warned Pakistan, he said that India will give befitting reply to Pak’s nefarious activities across the LoC.