OTA Chennai Passing Out Parade 15 March 2014

CHENNAI  (15 MAR 2014) :
The SSC-97 and SSC(W)-11 Course comprising of as many as 261 officer cadets including 194 gentlemen cadets, 62 lady cadets and 05 foreign gentlemen cadets (four from Republic of Seychelles and one from Ethiopia), passed out today from the portals of Officers Training Academy, Chennai.

Officers Training Academy – Tank gate, entrance!

Champion coy marching with banner!

Thodi masti!

Reviewing officer moving towards saluting dais after reviewing the parade.

The parade was reviewed by Major General Ahmed Shiyam, Chief of Defence Forces Maldives. In his address the general officer reminded the cadets of enormous responsibilities they are expected to shoulder while commanding the troops. He lauded the cadets for their excellent efforts to make the parade absolutely impressive and magnificent. He also exhorted them to dedicate themselves with utmost sincerity and devotion to uphold the honour, safety and integrity of the country.

Great moments

Award winners formed up for prize distribution.

There were great moments for Academy Cadet Adjutant Sonu Singh as Maj Gen Ahmed Shiyam presented him the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ for the best all-round performance. The gold medal was bagged by Academy Under Officer Ajay Pal Singh for standing first in overall merit. The silver medal was bagged by Battalion Under Officer Atul Pathania for standing second in overall merit. The Chief of Army Staff banner awarded to best all round company of the term(Champion Company)  to the ‘Basantar Company’, received by Senior Under Officer Narendar Singh.

Major General Ahmed Shiyam NDC, PSC presents the Sword of Honour to Academy Cadet Adjutant Sonu Singh in Chennai on Saturday.

Award winners saluting the Reviewing officer after receiving the prizes.

After completion of 49 weeks of training in Officer Training Academy, each and every cadet waits eagerly for this final day and for that proud moment when cadets for the first and last time passes through the ‘Antim Pag’ (The Final Step).

Officer cadets marching in slow march to take The Final Step

Lady cadets marching towards the ‘Antim Pag’ in Slow march.

Newly commissioned officers taking oath!

The cadets were pipped by their parents in pipping lawn near the Parameshwaran Parade Ground. The event was followed by an oath taking ceremony and National Anthem.

Officers taking oath!

AUO Ajay Pal Singh being pipped by Maj Gen Ahmed Shiyam and his proud parents.

Newly commissioned officers saluting for the first time to samman toli.

Lt Priya Semwal with her Daughter – A true soldier’s wife.

“Scripting history, 26-year-old Priya Semwal, who lost her husband in a counter-insurgency operation two years back, was on Saturday inducted into the technical wing of the Armed Force as a young officer. From a college-going woman married to an Army jawan in 2006 to an officer commissioned into the Corps of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) of the Army today, Ms. Semwal’s life has come a full circle.” – Source: The Hindu.

Lt. Priya Semwal with her daughter Khwaish. (Source: DC)

“I am grateful to colonel (Agarwal) saab. I am happy to take my husband’s place in serving the nation, said Lieutenant Priya.

The proud Zalim Zulus (Zojilians)!

Foreign cadets after pipping!

Kuch akhri push-ups by officers! (The Jaguars!)

Expressions are saying it loud enough! (Mighty Mustangs!)

The passing out parade, as it is generally called, is the most significant and spectacular event in the life of the cadets, as it marks their entry into the officer cadre of the Indian Army. It also means the end of an arduous training and the beginning of the privileges and thrills of the life in uniform. The arduous and grueling preparation is only one salient of the military training imparted at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai.

On cloud nine after crossing the ‘Antim Pag’..!!