A total of 196 trainees of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard passed out on their completion of the training at a colourful passing-out parade ceremony here on Saturday.
Vice Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command, Visakhapatnam, reviewed the parade conducted with military precision. As usual, the traditional martial tune of Auld Lang Syne played across the armed forces when they say goodbye to colleagues marked the conclusion of the parade by the trainees who completed ab initio training at the INA.
Those who passed out on Saturday included 28 trainees of the 82nd Naval Academy Course (NAC) for B.Sc. degree after three-year training and 168 trainees of the 12th Naval Orientation Course (NOC) after rigorous six-month training. The latter included 59 Coast Guard trainees and 14 women trainees.
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Vice Admiral Anup Singh awarded medals to the discerning trainees at the parade, including the prestigious President's gold medal.
Speaking at the function, he told the trainees of the importance of honing the skills they had gained at the INA. He stressed the need for setting high degree of professionalism and conduct. “We earnestly hope that the occasion for war never comes, but if it does, then this nation must win, and the primary contributor in securing a decisive victory will be India's Armed Forces.” He also congratulated the award winners and the parents of passing-out trainees.
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INA cadet Captain Arun Kumar was awarded the President's gold medal for being adjudged first in overall order of merit in the 82nd NAC, while INA cadet Adjutant Samir Kumar and cadet A.P.S. Yadav won the silver and bronze medals respectively. For the NOC, the Chief of the Naval Staff silver medal was awarded to Sub-lieutenant Savtanter Saini for standing first in overall merit, while Assistant Commandant Naresh Kumar was awarded the Commandant INA bronze medal for standing second in the overall order of merit. Sub-lieutenant Malathi D was awarded the Southern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief silver medal for the best woman trainee of 12th NOC.
The parade was followed by the 'Stripe Shipping' ceremony that marked the trainees' entry as officers of the Navy and the Coast Guard.
During the ceremony, parents of the trainees shipped golden epaulets on their wards' shoulders.
The trainees magazines ‘Ahoy' capturing their experiences at the INA was also released on the occasion by Vice Admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal, Commandant of the INA.
On the eve of the passing-out parade, the chief guest and the parents were offered a display of physical training, adventure sports activities and continuity drill by the trainees. The programme held at the INA on June 3 included a performance by the INA band.
The passing-out parade ceremony also included a valedictory function showcasing the cultural and extra-curricular abilities of the trainees.