The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): On May 24, 2024, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Manoj Pande reviewed the Passing Out Parade of the 146th Course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at the Khetarpal Parade Ground, NDA, Khadakwasla. A total of 1,265 cadets participated in the parade, with 337 cadets from the passing-out course. This included 199 Army Cadets, 38 Naval Cadets, and 100 Air Force Cadets, along with 19 cadets from Friendly Foreign Countries such as Bhutan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Maldives. Additionally, a contingent of 24 female cadets, currently in their third and fourth terms of training, also took part in the parade.
The NDA, known as the cradle of military leadership, is India’s premier Joint Services Training Institution. The 146th course, inducted in June 2021, completed three years of rigorous military training and passed out in a grand ceremonial event. The cadets will now join their respective Pre-Commissioning Training Academies.
During the ceremony, Battalion Cadet Captain (BCC) Shobhit Gupta was awarded the President’s Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit. Academy Cadet Adjutant (ACA) Manik Tarun received the President’s Silver Medal for standing second, and BCC Anni Nehra won the President’s Bronze Medal for standing third. The prestigious ‘Chiefs of Staff Banner’ for the Champion Squadron was awarded to Golf Squadron and presented during the parade.
Gen Manoj Pande congratulated the passing-out cadets, medal winners, and the Champion Squadron for their hard work and outstanding performances. He expressed sincere gratitude to the proud parents for encouraging their motivated wards to join the Armed Forces. He urged the cadets to foster the spirit of jointness as they advance in their military careers and emphasized the importance of embracing the technological revolution in military affairs.
Following the Passing Out Parade, Gen Pande participated in a solemn ceremony at the Hut of Remembrance at the NDA, where he paid homage to the brave hearts whose names are inscribed in this revered memorial. Constructed by the cadets of the 10th to 17th courses of the NDA, the Hut of Remembrance stands as a symbol of bravery, courage, and selfless service. The walls of this memorial recount the stories of undaunted courage, valor, and the numerous sacrifices made by the NDA alumni over the past 75 years.