Ironmen of NDA’s 130th course

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By Devina Karnik and Vaibhavi Dhotre

As the dawn sets in, India gets its new set of young, dynamic warriors, service before self being their highest motto. The National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune, the cradle military leadership, saw yet another successful passing out parade i.e. of 130th course. As usual, the atmosphere was filled with joy, excitement and enthusiasm.

A total 312 cadets graduated from the Academy as they passed through the portals of the prestigious Khetrapal Parade Ground.  It included 211 cadets from the Army  36 cadets from the Navy and 65 cadets from the Air Force.

There were 14 foreign cadets from friendly countries who also passed out from the academy.  The cadets are from Bhutan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, Papua New Guinea, Kyrgyzstan and Tonga.

With the presence of parents and current officers, the ceremony commenced by the permission of the Reviewing Officer of the Parade, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, GOC-in- C, Southern Command.

Non contact warfare is emerging as a force, that

Lt Gen Rawat said, “Non-contact warfare is emerging as a force, that will compliment hard will compliment hard power in conventional war. This is an age of cyber and information warfare and I am happy to say that the Indian armed forces are preparing to meet this challenge. We are no longer a rudimentary fighting force, that depends on human resources alone to carry out our mission. Technology is the force multiplier and therefore, without a doubt each one of us must be technology savvy. This requires not only building our technological capabilities, but also training men to use them. Therefore, I urge you cadets, never to be  complacent about updating yourself with the latest in your Services, for as the old adage goes, “Knowledge is Power”.”

With their impeccable turn out, the cadets marched with pride on the Khetrapal Ground as they could foresee themselves as the future military leaders of this country. While the President’s Colours were being displayed, the Super Dimonas surprised the crowd by flying past in union.

Followed by the presentation of medals and Chiefs of Staff Banner, the President’s Gold Medal was awarded to ACC Avinash Chhetry, the Silver Medal to ACA Utkarsh Pandey, the Bronze Medal to BCC Naman Bhatt and the Chiefs of Staff Banner to the Champion Sqn ‘N’ Squardon.

The air show, ‘Sarang’ was a crowd pleaser. The pilots showcased awstrucking aerobatics with exceptional skills and perfect co-ordination.

The newly launched NDA Coffee Table Book was unveiled by Lt. Gen Bipin Rawat, Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar and Air Vice Marshal SP Wagle. The book is a description of a cadet’s life on campus. Lt. Gen Bipin Rawat spoke about how the training at NDA polishes the cadet to be a potential future leader. The academy now plans to expand its horizon by offering B. Tech in their curriculum to the future cadets. Topics such as proxy wars and clashes between civilians and defence forces were also discussed in the conference.

The ceremony was a celebration as a new ray hope illuminates from the hearts of proud parents as their children will now go on for further training to the respective academies and will go on to serve their nation with utmost pride and honour.

For the soldiers never die, they live forever deep within the heart of mother India. For her protection they live and they die.