JOIN US Choppers flew past the historic Chetwode Building at the Indian Military Academy on Saturday showering flower petals on 615 cadets who passed out after successfully completing a rigorous training course to join the Indian Army as officers.
Apart from them, 71 foreign gentlemen cadets too simultaneously passed out from the esteemed institution to join the armies of their respective countries.
Before being formally commissioned into the Army, the cadets staged a colourful Passing Out Parade (POP) with great vigour and zeal at the drill square in front of the Chetwode Building with Army chief Gen Bikram Singh reviewing it.
Addressing the cadets after the end of the ceremony, Gen Singh said he felt privileged to be part of the occasion which had stirred up nostalgic memories in his mind. Conveying his felicitations to the cadets, he said they were fortunate to have trained at the IMA known for its high standards.
Asking them to constantly bear in mind their twin roles as warriors and protectors, he said they belong to the last bastion of the country and cannot ever afford to let their country down.
Felicitating the passing out cadets from friendly countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Mauritius and Maldives, Gen Singh hoped they would use what they had learnt at the IMA to serve their respective nations.