Khadakvasala (Pune, Maharashtra), May 31 (ANI): The Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 120th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) took place at Khadakvasla, on the outskirts of Pune, on Tuesday.
Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chief of Naval Staff, took the salute and reviewed the parade that was watched the parents and guardians of the cadets as well as top brass of the defence units based in and around Pune and other civil dignitaries.
A total of 362 cadets, including 21 from friendly foreign countries, passed out in the 120th course.
A breathtaking fly past by the Jaguar and Sukhoi-30 aircraft of Indian Air Force lent added thrill and zest to the POP. Helicopters of the Saras aerobatic squadron of the Indian Air Force were also on show.
The NDA trains teenaged youngsters who have passed the Higher Secondary examination, who in fact are chosen after a strenuous test of both the brawn and brain.
These cadets undergo three-years training at NDA and during the final phase, they opt for the particular wing of the defence services - Army, Navy or Air Force for further training at the respective academies where they are attested as commissioned officers.
Nikhil Prabhune, a topper of 120th course was awarded the President''s gold medal and in an informal chat with the mediapersons, he related candidly about his aspirations to become an aviator in the Indian Navy.
He was all praise for the syllabus prescribed for the ab-initio trainee cadets that moulds them from raw civilian youngsters into tough individuals in body and spirit, a must for every combatant personnel of the defence forces.
"We are also trained to be officers in the Indian Navy. Extensive training in sports, co-curricular activities, adventure sports activities and public speaking is also imparted to us at the academy," said Cadet Nikhil Jayant Prabhune, winner of the President''s gold medal.
He also credited all this to his earlier alma mater, the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), a public school in Dehradun in India''s northern state of Uttarakhand, reckoned to be the perfect grooming institution for the NDA aspirants.
Cadets Shashank Singh and Kishore Kunal were presented the silver and bronze medals respectively.
Among the 21 cadets from foreign countries, one was from Bhutan, three were from Kazakhstan, four each were from Afghanistan and Maldives and nine were from Tajikistan.
The NDA has a proud record of a large number of officers and also has the distinction of training gentlemen cadets from many friendly foreign countries.
After West Point in the USA, the NDA is the second largest military training complex in the world. (ANI)
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