Gen VP Malik, Chief of the Army Staff, reviewed the passing-out parade of 106 Regular, 89th Technical and 8th University Entry Scheme Courses alongwith the Gentlemen Cadets of friendly foreign countries at Indian Military Academy in May this year.

The Army Chief laid the wreath at the IMA War Memorial. Since the inception of IMA in 1932, the Academy has a proud record of having 551 decorated officers including 450 officers who laid down their lives in various operations.

A total of 516 Gentlemen Cadets including 11 foreign and 4 Assam Rifles GCs passed out. 400 GCs of Regular Course, 93 GCs of Technical Graduates and University Entry Scheme Courses and 23 GCs of SCO Course were among the passing-out Gentlemen Cadets.

The parade, smartly formed up in Drill Square, first presented General Salute to Maj Gen VS Karnik, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor. Thereafter, the Commandant of the Academy, Lt Gen Yuvraj Mehta, arrived and was received with the General Salute. Reviewing Officer of the passing- out parade, Gen VP Malik arrived and was given the General Salute. He inspected the parade accompanied by the Parade Commander, AVO GP Singh and the Commandant. The colour party was commanded by BCA MS Gill.

The companies then marched past and re-formed on the inspection line which was followed by a fly-past presented by Army Aviation Corps helicopters.

The Reviewing Officer gave away the main awards to the winners. Sword of Honour was awarded to GC CS Mankotia. This is awarded to the best all-round Gentleman Cadet standing first in order of merit in the Regular Course. Gold Medal was awarded to GC Digvijay Singh standing first in order of merit in the Regular Course. Silver Medal, which is awarded to GC standing second in the order of merit in Regular Course, was bagged by GC CS Mankotia. GC Surjeet Singh Tanwar was given Bronze Medal which is awarded to the GC standing third in the Regular Course. The Silver Medal for Technical Graduates Course for standing first in the order of merit was awarded to GC Iqrar Singh Samyal.

Addressing the passing-out GCs, Gen Malik said that they would have the honour to lead the finest and most committed soldiers in the world. He further added, "in the last 50 years India has faced many challenges from outside and within the country.

The Army had been the most important force which has secured the nation through every period of adversity." The General emphasised that victory in Kargil had been largely due to the outstanding leadership provided by young officers who showed indomitable courage, dedication and determination and most of these young officers had passed out from IMA."