The Indian Military Academy (IMA) turned into a hub of nostalgia and pride as over 340 officers from the 105 Regular and 88 Technical Course reunited to celebrate 25 years of their commissioning. The Silver Jubilee event was a heartfelt tribute to their journey, honoring the sacrifices and achievements of the course members and their fallen comrades.
On December 11, 1999, 557 young men, including 18 from Friendly Foreign Countries, marched smartly during their Passing Out Parade, stepping across the iconic Antim Pag to become commissioned officers. Over the past 25 years, these officers have earned accolades for their bravery and professionalism, including gallantry awards like the Ashok Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Sena Medals.
Lieutenant Colonel Manish Shrivastava, PRO Defence Dehradun and a member of the course, shared, “32 officers of our course have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.” Prominent names include:
- Major Mohit Sharma (Ashok Chakra, Sena Medal)
- Major Dinesh Raghu Raman (Ashok Chakra)
- Captain DK Jha (Kirti Chakra)
- Captain Umang Bhardwaj (Shaurya Chakra)
The celebration began with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the IMA War Memorial to honor the fallen heroes. Officers and their families gathered for a group photo at the iconic Chetwode Building before revisiting their training grounds and reliving memories of their cadet days.
Simultaneously, officers across India held wreath-laying ceremonies at 20 locations, including the National War Memorial in Delhi, ensuring every fallen brother was remembered.
To mark the occasion, course members showcased their adventurous spirit through:
- A 10,000 km All-India motorcycle expedition
- A mountaineering expedition to Mount Kangyatse 1 and 2 in Leh
- A massive fitness awareness campaign, where members collectively ran, cycled, and walked 125,000 km across the globe.
Many officers of the course have gone beyond the uniform, excelling as entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, continuing their service to the nation in different fields.
The event concluded with the felicitation of the Next of Kin of fallen officers and a renewed pledge to uphold the values taught at IMA. The academy expressed pride in the achievements of the course and thanked the officers for their continued dedication to the nation.
This Silver Jubilee was not just a reunion—it was a celebration of courage, camaraderie, and commitment to the nation. (PR)