V.R. Iyer, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command of Indian Air Force in Bangalore, said here on Saturday that the armed forces in the country, including the Indian Navy, had a greater role to play as the country was facing grave security challenges.
Addressing a passing-out parade of cadets at the Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala in Kannur, the Air Marshal said the Navy's maritime dimension had increased manifold in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks. The Indian armed forces with its secular nature was among the finest fighting forces in the world, he added.
The passing-out parade of the 80th Naval Academy Course and the 10th Naval Orientation Course at the INA was reviewed by Air Marshal Iyer. In all, 249 trainees, including 36 women trainees and 64 Coast Guard trainees, successfully completed the training.
Sixteen platoons, including passing-out and non passing-out cadets participated in the parade. Academy cadet Captain Sanjeev K. Sharma was awarded the President's Gold Medal for coming first in overall order of merit in the 10+2 Naval Academy course. Squadron cadet Captain O.P. Choudhry was awarded the Chief of the Naval Staff medal for being adjudged second in overall merit. Academy cadet Adjutant Harshit Bora was awarded the Flag Officer-in-Command South bronze medal for coming third in overall order of merit. The Chief of the Naval Staff silver medal for first place in the Naval Orientation Course was awarded to Assistant Commandant Aditya Asdir while the Commandant INA bronze medal was awarded to cadet Sandeep Khanchi for coming second in the same course. Lady Coast Guard Officer Assistant Commandant Gunjan was awarded the Flag Officer-in-Command South silver medal for the best woman trainee in the course.
The Air Marshal told the cadets that the completion of their training was a milestone in their lives. The training was demanding and challenging. The future held interesting challenges for each of the young trainees, he said.
The true essence of the armed services was the spirit of joint venture, he said adding that it was also a proud moment for the parents of trainees who had completed the project.
The passing-out ceremony concluded with the trainees forming up in two lines and marching past the quarter deck in slow march to the
tune of Auld Lang Syne, a traditional martial tune played across the armed forces when bidding goodbye to colleagues and comrades. INA Commandant Anurag Thapliyel was also present at the parade.
On completion of the parade, parents of 249 trainees shipped their stripes on their wards during the ‘Shipping the stripe' ceremony. The ceremony was symbolic as the parents helped their wards to wear their shoulder stripes for the first time after receiving the President's commission. The INA journal AHOY produced by the trainees was also released during the ceremony by the Air Marshal.
In a brief interaction with reporters, Air Marshal Iyer said the armed forces was equipped to handle the external and internal scenario in the country. He said the Air Force was already involved in ensuring logistics for the country's fight against Maoist insurgency, he added.
