Ankit Sharma/Dehradun

Amid Pandemic, the Indian Military Academy is preparing for its Spring Term Passing Out Parade (POP) 2021 to be held on June 12 that will see 425 Gentlemen Cadets taking  ‘Antim Pagh' (Last step) to step into the most envied career. The parade will be held in the backdrop of the famous Chetwode Building. 

The GCs to pass out this year include 84 foreign trainees from nine countries. The ceremonies associated with the Passing Out Parade will commence Friday with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony to pay homage to the alumni of IMA who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. In all 889 alumni have laid down their lives while defending the honour of the country.

Due to the prevailing COVID situation, the ceremonies have been scaled down but shall retain the traditional element of ceremonial regalia. The formations have been modified to ensure the due social distancing.

The parents and the family members of the GCs will not be able to attend the ceremony in view of the Covid-19 restrictions. However, they would be able to see it on various media channels as the POP will be live telecast.

Legends raised at IMA Le Gen (Retd Syed Ata Hasnain, Lt Gen (retd) J S Negi, General SAM Manekshaw as gentlemen cadets

Interestingly instructors of the academy will play the part of the parents in the pipping ceremony.

The COVID pandemic posed serious challenges for the Academy but the extremely pro-active measures and strict enforcement of requisite protocols ensured a largely 'COVID Free' environment. The courses and other work in the academy have continued uninterrupted during the Covid waves. 

IMA: an alma mater of Bravehearts

Founded By Sir Philip Chetwode in the year 1932, the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun stands tall amongst its peers across the world. Since its raising with 40 cadets in the first course, a total of 60,384 Indian and 2572 Foreign GCs from 34 friendly foreign countries have passed out from it and have been commissioned in the Army.

At 222 foreign trainees, almost every fourth GC in the academy is from a foreign Army reflecting the stellar international standing of the Academy and its reputed training regime. 

The academy has been pursuing a visionary transformation of its infrastructure and training methodology towards preparing the young military leaders for the complexities of the future battlefields.

The training instils GCs with cardinal faith for upholding the sovereignty of India. The cadets go through a varying between 3 and 16 months training course depending on the specialization of roles. on passing in the courses at IMA, cadets get a permanent commission at the rank of lieutenant. 

CDS Chief General Bipin Rawat with his father Lt Gen Laxman Singh Rawat after the passing out parade

The cadets at IMA are organized into four battalions comprising of 3/4 companies each. These battalions are named after the Generals of the Indian Army and companies after the name of the battles the Indian army fought. 

The finale of the POP is the Antim Pag, where cadets march to their final steps into Chetwode Hall. 

Soon after the completion of POP, The cadets fling up their caps and then resort to doing celebratory pushups, followed by the piping of stars by family members

Many IMA alumni have sacrificed their lives or passed through to keep the head of our Mother India high with pride. A lot has been honoured with gallantry awards. 

Also Watch: No one's faith is compromised in Army: Lt Gen Ata Hasnain