At an impressive Passing Out Parade (POP) held at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala on 28 May 2016, 301 cadets of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard passed through the portals of the INA, on successful completion of their training. This POP marked the commissioning of the cadets of the second B Tech graduate course (90th Indian Naval Academy Course) into the Indian Navy.
At an impressive Passing out Parade (POP) held at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala here today. 234 cadets of Indian Navy, 64 cadets of Indian Coast Guard and three cadets from friendly foreign countries passed out of the portals of the INA, on successful completion of their training. This POP marked commissioning of the cadets of 90th Indian Naval Academy Course INAC (BTech) and 90th Indian Naval Academy Course INAC (MSc) Courses in the Indian Navy.
The passing out cadets belonged to four different courses of Spring Term 2016, viz., 90th Indian Naval Academy Course INAC (BTech), 90th Indian Naval Academy Course INAC (MSc), the 21st Naval Orientation Course (Extended) and the 22nd Naval Orientation Course (Regular). Also graduating and marching shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts were 25 female cadets from the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
The parade was reviewed by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC. After the ceremonial review, the reviewing officer awarded medals to eight meritorious cadets. The Chief of the Army Staff in his address congratulated the Passing Out cadets and advised them to prepare themselves for the challenges of tomorrow. The Reviewing Officer emphasized that professionalism, integrity and attitude should form the corner stones on which their military careers are to be built. He motivated the cadets to strive for the best and to learn from each failure they may encounter. Rear Admiral MD Suresh, NM, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor INA and Rear Admiral K S Venugopal, Principal, INA, witnessed this momentous occasion. The Passing out Parade was also witnessed by the proud parents and guardians of all successful cadets, as well as by a large number of local and outstation dignitaries and media personnel.
The ‘President’s Gold Medal’ for the Indian Naval Academy BTech course was awarded to Squadron Cadet Captain Keval Krishan. The ‘Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal’ for the Naval Orientation (Extended) Course was awarded to Cadet Sidharth Gupta. The ‘Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal’ for the Naval Orientation (Regular) Course was awarded to Cadet Rukshar Baby. She was also awarded the ‘Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (South) Gold Medal’ for being adjudged the Best Woman Trainee of the course.
The glittering ceremony culminated with the successful cadets forming up in two columns and marching with their gleaming swords held in salute, past the Academy’s Saluting Dias known as the Quarterdeck, in Slow March, to the traditional notes of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, the poignant farewell tune played by all Armed Forces of the world when bidding adieu to colleagues and comrades. Passing out courses were bid farewell by cadets of junior term who manned the mast as the successful cadets streamed past the hallowed quarterdeck and a fleet of three Navy Hawk fighter aircraft carried out the traditional fly past of the quarterdeck, welcoming the new officers to the Navy.
On completion of the parade, the ‘Shipping of Stripes’ ceremony was conducted. The proud parents and guardians of the Passing Out cadets shipped the Naval / Coast Guard epaulettes, popularly known as ‘Stripes’ on the shoulders of their wards, thus symbolizing their transformation from ‘cadets’ into full-fledged Naval / Coast Guard Officers. The Reviewing Officer and other dignitaries shipped the stripes of the medal winners and congratulated all trainees on their successful completion of the rigorous course. On completion of the training at the Indian Naval Academy, these officers will proceed to various Naval and Coast Guard ships / Establishments, to further consolidate their training in specific fields.
