The historic Chetwode Drill Square at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, played host to the Commandant’s Parade for Spring Term 2020 on Thursday. The Commandant’s Parade marked the culmination of the training of 90 foreign gentlemen cadets from nine countries 333 Indian cadets and was the full-dress rehearsal for the passing out parade scheduled to be held on June 13.
Owing to the precautionary guidelines to combat COVID-19, only the IMA staff and other trainees witnessed the immaculate parade that was reviewed by the IMA Commandant, Lt Gen JS Negi.
“Once commissioned, you shall be put in a furnace of testing your strength and purity. Remember purity of action results from purity of intention. Hence, be genuine in your concerns for your men. If you show them your competence, your men will respect you, but if you show them your concerns, they will trust you and happily take a bullet for the task you assign,” he said while addressing the cadets.
“The path to gain that unflinching trust passes through professional competence, concern, character, conviction and courage, both physical and mental, integrity and selflessness. Understanding your men by capitalising on their strengths and weaknesses is a continuous learning process and an important human resource management skill which you need to master from your experience. This holistic development will enable you to converse, convince and command large troops in times to come,” he added.
Reiterating the IMA’s credo: “The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time,” Lt Gen Negi exhorted the cadets to maintain these high ideals and pursue excellence at all times and uphold the Army’s core values of character, competence, commitment and compassion.
The Commandant also extended his compliments to the 90 cadets from the foreign countries for having endured the rigorous regimen of training, exhibiting excellent transformation and now getting ready to don the ranks in their respective armies, as well-groomed officers.
He addressed them specifically, stating that the strong bond of togetherness that they had developed in the IMA would foster into a bond that would keep the diplomatic and military ties between our nations stronger and vibrant.
“Soon, you will become a part of your great traditional armies. I am confident that the spirit of the Indian Military Academy will guide all of you in your future courses of action. You must always endeavour to achieve greatness in whatever you do,” the Lt General added.
