“THE SAFETY, HONOUR AND WELFARE OF THE COUNTRY COMES FIRST, ALWAYS AND EVERY TIME”
– Field Marshal Philip Chetwode
Both gentleman cadets and women cadets were commissioned into the Army at a passing out parade (POP) held at Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai on Saturday.
Cadets marching-in for ‘Passing Out Parade’ at OTA Chennai today. @adgpi @SpokespersonMoD @drajaykumar_ias @DDNewslive @PIB_India @airnews_Chennai @pibchennai @proshillong @ProAssam @PRO_Vizag @PRODefImphal pic.twitter.com/qWtozM7xtX
— Defence PRO Chennai (@Def_PRO_Chennai) May 29, 2021
However, parents were not invited to attend the passing out parade (POP) because of the COVID-19 restrictions. They had to watch via live stream. Cadets also got the chance to speak with their families just after the POP via video conferencing.
Martyr’s wife joins Indian Army
Lieutenant Nitika Kaul Dhoundiyal the wife of Army Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who lost his life in the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack, on Saturday donned the Indian Army uniform for the first time as she joined the force to serve the nation.
Six months after the death of her husband, Nitika cleared the Short Service Commission (SSC) exam and the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview and was commissioned at Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Chennai for her training.
#WATCH | Nitika Kaul, Wife of Maj Vibhuti Dhoundiyal, is now Nitika Kaul as she don the Indian Army Uniform today at #OTA, Chennai. Maj Vibhuti Dhoundiyal made the Supreme Sacrifice at #Pulwama in 2019 and was awarded Shaurya Chakra (P)
Video – @prodefgau pic.twitter.com/wmDSyLoNji
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) May 29, 2021
“Our joining got delayed and so our commissioning also delayed because of COVID-19. Everything got affected in the academy due to the second wave. We didn’t get much time to prepare for the POP. Most of us do for our families..so many were demotivated but our officers kept us motivated..that kept us going”, Lt Rishab Purohit told NewsMobile.
Watch the complete parade here:
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Meanwhile, the National Defence Academy (NDA) on Saturday held it’s passing out parade of the 140th course. Nearly 300 candidates took part in the NDA’s passing out parade.
In addition, the Indian Navy’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh reviewed the officers of the passing out parade. In addition, other officers of the armed forces were also present during the passing out parade.
Maharashtra: National Defence Academy holds passing out parade of 140th course.
Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh was also present. pic.twitter.com/AdsuuJYV42
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2021
The passing out parade of the National Defence Academy marks an important step for the cadets, following which they go to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and officially become commissioned officers in the Indian Army.