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17th Passing Out parade for officers held at OTA Gaya

17th Passing Out parade for officers  held at OTA Gaya
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The drill square of Officers’ Training Academy wore a spectacular look with traditional military regalia and splendour. The occasion was the 17th Passing Out Parade of 17 Gentlemen Cadets of Special Commissioned Officers’ Course (SCO)-44. 81 Gentlemen Cadets of TES-35 course passed out from their respective Cadet Training Wings. 69 Gentlemen Cadets of TES-41 Course proceeded to various engineering colleges of the Army to pursue a degree in Engineering at Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow and College of Military Engineering Pune. The Gentlemen Cadets enthralled a large gathering of military and civilian dignitaries, with their elegant and synchronised drill movements in a breath-taking parade.

Lt General Sunil Srivastava, AVSM, VSM and Bar, Commandant, Officers’ Training Academy, Gaya was the Reviewing Officer of the parade. The Reviewing Officer arrived at the venue in a ceremonial horse drawn carriage, escorted by a smartly attired cavalry detachment and was received by Maj Gen BD Rai, YSM, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor, Officers’ Training Academy, Gaya.

The parade began with a general salute to the Reviewing Officer by the Gentlemen Cadets followed by a review of the Parade by the Reviewing Officer and the Passing Out march past. A fly past by three micro-light aircrafts was also carried out over the heads of the Passing Out Course in true military tradition. The Reviewing Officer gave away various awards to Gentlemen Cadets for excellence in training. The Silver Medal for standing first in the order of merit amongst the passing out Special Commissioned Officers’ Course was awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant Bipul Sinha. Gurez Company was awarded the Chief Of Army Staff Banner for Spring Term 2020 for Best Overall Performance as a company.

Addressing the parade, General Srivastava urged the future officers to make their Nation and their Alma Mater proud by rendering selfless and honourable service. He highlighted that inspite of COVID-19 pandemic posing a challenge, the Indian Army, true to its traditions, rose to the challenge of maintaining social distancing while simultaneously maintaining standards and minimal disruptions in training of Officer Cadets. He also stressed on imbibing the virtues of military ethos and soldierly qualities.

Congratulating the parents, General Srivastava said that they were amongst the lucky few whose sons will get the opportunity to serve in one of the noblest professions i.e. the profession of arms. The General Officer advised the newly commissioned officers to ensure their own and loved ones safety while moving to their units.

OTA, Gaya was raised on 18 July 2011 with the motto of ‘Shaurya Gyan Sankalp’ (Courage, Knowledge and Resolve). Presently, the Academy conducts training for Technical Entry Scheme and Special Commissioned Officer entries, popularly known as TES and SCO respectively. The Cadets belonging to TES course join the Academy after completing their intermediate exams. The latter are selected from the ranks. The TES entry Gentlemen Cadets undergo one year of Basic Military Training before proceeding to various military technical institutions for engineering studies and receive their commission after completing three years of training.

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