Chennai: A total of 181 gentleman cadets and 49 women cadets were inducted into the Indian Army at the Passing out Parade held at the premier defence training establishment, the Officers Training Academy (OTA) here.
Also 15 gentleman cadets and five women cadets from three foreign countries also passed out of the OTA.
The Parameshwaran Drill Square at OTA resonated with the martial music tunes to commemorate the Passing Out Parade in the best traditional military regalia and splendour.
The immaculate drill followed by pipping ceremony marked the commissioning of 181 Gentleman Cadets and 49 Women Cadets of the SSC-110 and SSC (W)-24 Course respectively.
In addition, five Gentleman Cadets and three Women Cadets from Bhutan, two Women Cadets from Maldives and 10 Gentleman Cadets from Afghanistan also graduated on the occasion.
The OTA, since its inception in 1963, has been the cradle of military leadership.
The Short Service Commission has over the years attracted the cream of the youth, of both men and women, who have passed through the portals of the Academy to step forth as warriors, leaders and protectors of the Nation.
Due to the present pandemic precautions put in place to safeguard against the spread of Covid-19, parents were not invited to witness the event.
OTA had made arrangements for live streaming of POP and pipping ceremony on DD Podhigai, DD Bharati and YouTube Channels.
The Parade was reviewed by Lt General R P Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command who also presented the Sword of Honour and the Gold Medal to ACA Varun Ganapathy CP, Silver Medal to AUO Mahadev Singh Rathore and the Bronze Medal to BUO Patil Dhiraj
Patangrao.
In his address, he exhorted the pasing out cadets to always adhere to the core values of ‘Selfless Service to the Nation’ and strive for excellence in all their endeavours and be successful leaders of our brave jawans in defence of the Nation.
He also complimented the cadets and OTA Staff on the excellent standard displayed by all.
After the POP, ‘Pipping Ceremony’ was conducted in which the passing out cadets donned the shining stars on their shoulders.
For the first time, the newly commissioned officers of OTA, Chennai the ‘Pehla Kadam’ symbolic of a new beginning as officers in the Army.