By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 10 Dec: The historic Chetwode Drill Square at the prestigious IMA played host to the Commandant’s Parade for the Autumn Term 2020, here, today. The Commandant’s Parade marked the culmination of training of 325 Indian and 70 Gentlemen Cadets from nine friendly foreign countries. Owing to the COVID-19 precautionary guidelines, only the IMA staff and other the trainees witnessed the impressive Parade. However, parents of the Passing Out Course have been invited for the main Parade this term to partake in the sense of Pride and Joy by being part of their ‘once in a lifetime’ event when their wards step in as part of the revered Army Fraternity.
IMA Commandant Lt Gen Harinder Singh, who reviewed the Parade, complimented all the Gentlemen Cadets for an immaculate turnout and excellent drill movements, which indicated a high level of motivation, pride and cohesion achieved by them during their training at IMA. He also congratulated everyone for facing all challenges towards completing the training successfully despite COVID constraints.
Lt General Harinder Singh in his address to the Gentlemen Cadets highlighted that the Army’s reputation rests firmly on their shoulders. He said that they have earned this honour with hard work and they need to retain it by living up to the Army’s core values of Character, Competence, Commitment and Compassion. These values are reflected in the IMA’s Code of Conduct, “the safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time”. The Commandant exhorted the Gentlemen Cadets to maintain these high ideals and pursue excellence, at all times.
He added, “Once commissioned, you shall be put in a furnace to test your strength and purity. Remember purity of action results from purity of intent. Hence, be genuine in your concerns for your men. If you show them your competence, your men will respect you, but if you show them your concern, they will trust you and happily take a bullet for the task you assign. The path to gaining that unflinching trust passes through Professional Competence, Concern, Character, Conviction, Courage, both physical and mental, Loyalty, Integrity and Selflessness. Understanding your men by capitalising on their strengths and weaknesses is a continuous learning process and an important Human Resource Management Skill which you need to master from your experience. This holistic development will enable you to converse, convince and command large troops in times to come. General Norman Schwarzkopf of the US Army said, ‘The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.’ Hence, develop the competence and the courage to do the right thing.”
The General Officer also extended his compliments to the 70 Gentleman Cadets from nine friendly foreign countries, who have endured the rigorous regimen of training and are now getting ready to don ranks in their respective armies as Officers. He addressed them specifically while stating that “the strong bond of togetherness that you have developed in IMA shall foster into a bond that will keep the diplomatic and military ties between our nations strong and vibrant. Soon, you will become a part of your great armies. I am confident that the spirit of the Indian Military Academy will guide all of you in your future courses of action. You must always endeavour to achieve greatness in whatever you do.”
He encouraged the Gentlemen Cadets to put their best foot forward for the final Passing out Parade and wished all the Gentlemen Cadets the very best in the years ahead. He announced that IMA has taken a considered decision in consultation with the civilian administration to invite the parents for the POP and that everyone expected them to strictly adhere to the COVID protocols while taking part in the events. He encouraged the media to ensure extensive live coverage for those parents and relatives who could not join, including the relatives of foreign Gentlemen Cadets.
