An air of nostalgia filled the environs of the campus of Indian Military Academy (IMA) on Friday when the old buddies of 40th Regular and 24th Technical Entry Course met after 50 years of passing out from their alma mater. These gentlemen, most of them in their seventies and their family members attended variety of functions organised by IMA on golden jubilee of their passing out from the academy. The events were attended by 200 Officers and their wives.
An IMA communiqué informed that the illustrious batch, boasts of one Maha Vir Chakra awarded to late Captain Devender Singh Ahlawat, posthumously; two Veer Chakras; two Shaurya Chakras and six Sena Medals for Gallantry.
The course has the distinction of fielding nine Lt Gen rank Officers, of which one was the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, one Vice Chief of Army Staff, three Army Commanders, one Deputy Chief of Army Staff and three Director Generals of their departments.
In the field of Adventure too, the officers of the course excelled; one of the members, General K S Rao, was the first Indian to circumnavigate in his Yatch around the globe, Major Kiran Inder Kumar was a celebrated mountaineer, who lost his life in his attempt to conquer Mount Everest, Colonel Pavan Nair has had the distinction of constructing the first Indian Base “The Dakshin Gangotri” in the Antarctic and Colonel S D Umalkar captained the Services Cricket Team in Ranji Trophy matches.
Several formal and informal events were organised to celebrate this historic occasion. The functions commenced with the course mates and the ladies paying homage to the forty two departed comrades and to other brave-hearts of the Academy at the IMA Memorial. The course was addressed by the Commandant of IMA, Lt Gen SK Jha, who while welcoming the course, articulated the vision and the future.
Former Army Commander, General K S Jamwal (Rtd) who was also the winner of the “Sword of Honour and the Gold Medal, December 1967”, offered a vote of thanks to the Staff of IMA and all the participants. The event concluded with a dinner.