Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 14 Jun: General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, was the Chief Guest and the Reviewing Officer at the 156th Passing Out Parade of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here on Saturday. Addressing the cadets on this occasion, he remarked that being an officer is not merely about wearing a rank but about earning respect daily through character and conduct. Reviewing the parade as the chief guest, he observed with visible pride that the training imparted by the IMA does not simply produce officers, but builds lifelong bonds and instils values that define true military leadership.
The ceremony, held on Saturday morning in front of the historic Chetwode Building on IMA premises, marked a significant milestone for the Military Academy, as 451 officer cadets, including 32 cadets from nine friendly foreign countries, successfully completed their training and passed out. The batch comprised cadets from the 156 Regular Course, the 45th Technical Entry Scheme, the 139th Technical Graduate Course, and Special Commissioned Officers (SCO-54). The parade ground resounded with martial tunes like ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ and ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’ as the cadets marched in unison, displaying precision, discipline, and a sense of patriotic pride, cheered on by family members, dignitaries, and a wider audience following the live broadcast.
Gen Rodrigo, himself an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, became the first IMA graduate to return in the capacity of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and review the parade. Overwhelmed with emotion, he recalled the moment when his own journey had begun at this very academy with a simple haircut in the IMA barber’s chair. “Looking at your faces, I see my younger self. This place doesn’t just train officers; it forges bonds that last a lifetime,” he said, expressing his gratitude to General Upendra Dwivedi and the Indian Army for the honour of the invitation.
He urged the passing-out cadets to realise that they now belong to an unbroken chain of warriors and patriots. He reminded them that respect in the armed forces is not a privilege granted with a commission, but something that must be earned through daily choices, unwavering integrity, and sincere dedication. Recalling the IMA Credo, he underscored three primary responsibilities of an officer — to the nation, to their soldiers, and to the families of the brave hearts.
The General stressed the core military values of discipline, integrity, loyalty, and honour. Discipline, he emphasised, begins with self-mastery; integrity is about doing what is right even when no one is watching; loyalty extends beyond hierarchy; and honour is the sacred trust symbolised by the uniform, a trust to be upheld at all times. He praised the role of IMA in shaping cadets not only into soldiers but into future guardians of the nation, and told them to wear the uniform not just with pride, but with purpose.
He extended his congratulations to the foreign cadets and termed them as ambassadors of the Academy’s values, discipline, integrity, brotherhood, and service. He urged them to take the spirit of IMA across borders and maintain the friendships and shared military ethos built during their training. Addressing the audience, he said that the cadets now carry the hopes and aspirations of a billion people, and as they begin their real journey from here onwards, they must lead with wisdom and uphold the highest ideals of service and sacrifice.
In recognition of excellence, a number of prestigious awards were presented during the event. The coveted Sword of Honour was awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant Anni Nehra. Academy Under Officer Ronit Ranjan Nayak received the Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit. The Silver Medal was awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant Anni Nehra for securing the second position, while the Bronze Medal was conferred upon Battalion Under Officer Anurag Verma. Sergeant Akash Bhadauriya topped the Technical Graduate Course and received the Silver Medal. Wing Cadet Quarter Master Kapil was awarded the Silver Medal for topping the Technical Entry Scheme (TES-45), and Foreign Officer Cadet Nishan Balami of Nepal was adjudged best among the foreign cadets. The Chief of Army Staff Banner for the Spring Term 2025 was awarded to Keren Company for standing first among the twelve companies.
In his closing remarks, Rodrigo reminded the cadets that this was not just a ceremonial occasion but the beginning of their lives as leaders of men and defenders of the nation. He urged them to cherish the brotherhood forged during their time at IMA and reminded them that every action henceforth would define their legacy. Quoting Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, he left them with the immortal words: “Be truthful, be honest, be fearless.”
The day ended with the cheering cries of “Jai Hind” echoing across the campus as families and instructors alike stood with pride, honouring the spirit of valour and duty that defines the Indian Military Academy.
Govt to award cash incentives to cadets from U’khand: Ganesh Joshi
Garhwal Post BureauDEHRADUN, 14 Jun: A total of 451 officer cadets, including 32 officer cadets from friendly foreign countries, were commissioned during the Spring Term 2025 Passing Out Parade held at the Indian Military Academy.Uttarakhand’s Minister for Sainik Welfare, Ganesh Joshi, extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the newly commissioned officers. On this occasion, he stated that nearly 18% of the Indian Army personnel hail from Uttarakhand, which is a matter of great pride for the state. He reaffirmed the Uttarakhand Government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of serving and retired soldiers.The Minister also announced that the State Government is awarding a cash incentive of ₹50,000 to cadets from Uttarakhand and ₹1,00,000 to cadets who are dependents of ex-servicemen.
