Army most admired, respected institution: Chief of Army Staff Dalbir Singh
Chennai: Indian Army has continued to render exemplary service in the face of external and internal challenges and will carry on doing so, said General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff, while reviewing the Passing Out Parade of the Officers Training Academy that was held on Saturday.
“Indian Army has an image of itself and continues to be the most admired and respected institution in the country," he said. He also pointed out that Indian Army's role in UN peacekeeping operations had been lauded by the international community at large.
At the Passing out Parade a total of 183 Officer Cadets (146 Gentleman Cadets, 37 Lady Cadets) were commissioned as officers following the completion of vigorous training at the Academy. The parade was commanded by Academy Under Officer Parikshit Bawa.
“The power of leading by example continues to be preeminent among our officer cadre and the Indian Army has always been known not just for the power it represents but also for maturity and responsibility,” General Singh said. He called upon each of the cadets to fully comprehend the unique commitment expected of them. He also urged them to constantly endeavor to be fully equipped to fulfill their responsibilities.
“I have no doubt that the cadets will live by that creed for our great nation and for its countrymen,” he said. Meanwhile, the Officer Cadets marched out with precision from the hallowed precincts of the Parameshwaran Drill Square to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne, taking the 'Final Step' thus symbolizing the end of their training, which infact is the 'First Step' towards their career as the custodians of the nation's integrity and honour.
During the Parade, the Reviewing Officer presented various awards out of which the most coveted “Sword of Honour” for Best All Round Gentlemen/Lady Cadet of the Passing Out Course was presented to AUO Bawa. He was also awarded the Silver Medal for standing second in Overall Order of Merit.
For some of the Officer Cadets who come from diverse backgrounds it was a dream come true to make it to the folds of the elite Indian Army. Among those inducted as officers was one, Lt Nikita A. Nair, a former ‘May Queen Miss Pune’ who had walked the ramp earlier.
Another Lt G. Vaishali who had been a professional Bharatnatyam dancer also wanted to make it to the Army. Jayanthi Ganesan, mother of Lt G. Vaishali, said "Nobody from our family has been in the army before and I am extremely proud of my daughter as she is the first one to do so. She was a Bharatnatyam dancer but joining the army was her dream ".
Lt Vaishali was in MOP Vaishnav College where she was studying B.Com and had then joined the NCC. In 2012, she received the All India Best Cadet Award from the then Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh." From then on she was always interested to join the army and that was her dream and we were always behind her," added Jayanthi.
