From cadets to officers: 172 commissioned into Indian Army

In all, 172 officer cadets were commissioned as officers of the Indian Army, while 18 cadets from friendly nations, too, passed out from the academy. The parade commanded by Academy Under Officer Vivek Suraj was reviewed by the General Officer Commander-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh.

Besides the 142 gentleman cadets and 30 lady cadets from India, there were 10 cadets from Afghanistan, 6 from Bhutan (including two lady cadets) and 2 from Fiji were commissioned into the armies of those countries.

Addressing the media, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh said the Indian Army was ready to tackle any challenges that pose threat to the national security. “We have conducted retaliatory attacks at various instances earlier. Although the situation at Jammu and Kashmir appears stable on the surface, a tense situation is simmering in the State,” he said.

Among those who passed in flying colours was Bhagyashree Patil (36), the widow of late Colonel Viswas Kumar. She said the training was tough, and credited her army family and well-wishers who motivated her throughout the journey. “I had a huge age difference with the other cadets. But they helped me in identifying my strengths and made me stronger,” she said.

She took the decision of joining the army within a month of her husband dying of a cardiac arrest, leaving her seven-year-old son, Vivaan, with her parents. “Even though I belonged to the Army fraternity, I was unaware that a window of opportunity lies for the war widows. I took the examination, determined to clear it. The training gave me a confidence and the ability to see a whole new world. I only wish my husband was there to see my stars on the shoulder.” Another cadet who was commissioned into the Army during the day was Sangeetha Mal, wife of martyr Shishir Mal, who had lost his life during Operation Rakshak in 2015.

Second Lieutenant Ugyen Phuentsho (25), a first generation officer, had completed his engineering degree from a college in Gujarat before deciding to join the Army. Speaking candidly, he said, “In the first two months of training, I had a tough time to stay disciplined.”

Second Lieutenant Aifaaz Mohammad from the Republic of Fiji was another first generation army officer, whose family has come down to witness the ceremony. “This was my childhood dream. I am overwhelmed with emotions. The training was very challenging as we faced language barrier, food and hostile weather here.”

Second Lieutenant Mohammad Payez (26), one of the cadets from Afghan, said Chennai weather was too harsh. “Back in my country, military training is oriented towards counterterrorism and surgical strikes. In the academy, we had learnt about conventional war tactics. My key learning is that we should do the right things even when nobody sees it.”