Covid-19 bites IMA’s passing out parade, no kin of new officers allowed

For the primary time since its inception, a batch of younger workplaces graduated from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on Saturday with out their mother and father watching the passing out parade (POP) as a result of restrictions for the Covid-19 pandemic.

Instead, the academy’s officers and their wives performed the function of oldsters for the Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) by placing stars on their shoulders as a logo of getting commissioned as military officers.

The adjustments had been launched contemplating the precautionary measures as per the rules of presidency for Covid-19 pandemic. The IMA officers mentioned that it was performed to make sure the protection of the GCs and the academy workers.

In the morning, when the occasion began, the GCs within the POP wore masks and maintained additional distance than ordinary in the course of the ceremonial parade. There was no bathe of rose petals from helicopters on the GCs which have turn into a convention to welcome the younger officers into the military.

There had been additionally some first-time adjustments in the course of the Pipping ceremony which occurs after the parade is over. The ceremony contains taking the oath by the GCs after which placing the celebs of their ranks on their shoulders by their relations.

But since relations weren’t allowed to attend the occasion, the IMA staffers and their wives performed the function of their mother and father by placing the celebs on their shoulders. The entire occasion was reside streamed by means of a drone digicam which was used for the primary time. The venue of the ceremony was additionally modified from the bottom close to Khetarpal Gymnasium to the one close to Nizam Pavilion of the Academy.

Some of the GCs on the occasion had been fairly emotional as their mother and father couldn’t witness them changing into officers within the military however mentioned the void was crammed by their instructors and IMA officers from the Indian Army.

Twenty-four-year-old Abhishek Negi, a newly commissioned officer from Dehradun mentioned, “Obviously it felt bad that my parents couldn’t see me wearing the officer’s uniform despite living in the same city. But then, it is for the safety of all. We are thankful for our instructors at the academy who played the role of our parents and made us realise once again, that we all are one big family.”

Samrat Thapa, 22, one other newly commissioned officer from Bhopal, mentioned his father cried over the cellphone whereas chatting with him after the ceremony.

“My father, who is a serving Colonel in the Indian Army, wanted me to see passing out as an army officer with flying colours. Unfortunately, due to obvious reasons he couldn’t come and cried over the phone when I called him after the ceremony. I consoled him asking him not to cry as from now onwards I will also be wearing the uniform like him,” mentioned Thapa.

The IMA officers and their wives who performed the roles of the GCs’ mother and father mentioned they had been greater than happy with the function they performed.

“I felt extremely proud while putting the stars on the shoulders of these young officers along with my husband. We are all one family,” mentioned Sumati Gakhar, spouse of an Indian Army officer, additionally an IMA official.

Saturday’s ceremony additionally witnessed a major change with the introduction of ‘Pahla Kadam’ or first step, a symbolic stair within the Pipping ceremony.

Lt Col Amit Dagar, public relation officer whereas talking on the introduction of Pahla Kadam mentioned, “Earlier, there was Antim Pag or last step after the parade which symbolises the conclusion of training, but from this season we introduced Pahla Kadam after Antim Pag which symbolises the first step of the new officers in their army careers after completing the training.”

This time, the newly commissioned officers additionally didn’t get their depart to go dwelling earlier than becoming a member of their respective models. They will be a part of their models instantly.

“All these changes were introduced due to the ongoing pandemic in the country as we wanted to ensure the health safety of the GCs, their family members as well as the IMA staffers,” mentioned Lt Col Dagar.

A complete of 423 GCs handed out of the academy together with 333 from India and 90 from pleasant overseas nations. The coveted award of Sword of Honour was awarded to GC Akashdeep Singh Dhillon of Punjab. The gold medal for the GC standing first within the Order of Merit was awarded to GC Shiv Kumar Singh Chauhan whereas the silver and bronze medals went to Sakshyam Rana and Suraj Singh respectively. Doan Van Son from Vietnam was awarded silver medal for the GC standing First within the Order of Merit amongst overseas GCs.