Journey of nation serving begins, passing Out Parade sees cadets turning officers
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @infodeaofficialÂ
Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai was the centre of attraction on March 9 as its alumni bid farewell to it to join the regular army and serve this glorious nation. Parameshwaran drill square on the premises of the institution bore testimony to this fact.
Their drill performance won the hearts of all. The awesome show at the drill square was the result of rigorous training cadets underwent at the academy for more than nine months. The training also bestowed on them the knowledge of warfare, handling of weapons, unarmed combat, managing crisis situations.
Knowledge earned here will be of good use to these officers while they are on duty. Moments turned emotional as the parents of these cadets responded with thunderous applause. There was pride behind the clapping, they knew that the new journey their children will be starting will get them fame also.Â
About 142 gentleman cadets and 30 lady cadets passed out during the ceremony. Trainees from friendly foreign nations also passed out during this ceremony. This comprised 16 gentleman cadets and two lady cadets from Friendly Foreign Countries, four gentleman cadets and two lady cadets from Bhutan, 10 gentleman cadets from Afghanistan and two gentleman cadets from Fiji.
Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, General Officer Commanderâin-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command reviewed the parade and presented sword of honour and silver medal to Academy Under Officer Siddharth Bhawnani, gold medal to Academy Cadet Adjutant Sandhya and bronze medal to Battalion Under Officer Noyonika Binda. Chief of Army Staff banner was won
by Naushera Company.
Addressing the cadets he said they must be prepared to meet the challenges that come their way during their service. I am confident that the knowledge gained at this famed institution has given them all the ability to face the challenges, he said. You must turn into an ideal for the people you command, live by the values yourselves and show them the way, he said.Â
‘You will be commanding one of the finest people in the world, give them all the care that is required.’ Speaking to the media lateron he said Indian Army is prepared to taken on any eventuality speaking about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The situation their is stable but fragile, however we are prepared to handle any kind of a situation, he said.
The terrorism establishment in Pakistan is intact and ceasefire violations happen to allow them to gain an entry into this nation, however, Indian Army is giving them a befitting reply to all the ceasefire violations, he said. Army has been actively undertaking modernisation projects to enhance its capability, he reminded.