INDIA. Mumbai: A total of 2585 “Agniveers”, including 272 women, of the Indian Navy, passed out from the portals of INS Chilka, in Odisha, in a first-of-its-kind post-sunset ceremonial Passing Out Parade (POP), held under the aegis of Southern Naval Command on Tuesday.
The parade was reviewed by Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), in the presence of Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Southern Naval Command, an ace athlete and Member of Parliament PT Usha, cricketer Mithali Raj, and eminent naval veterans, an official statement read.
The passing out parade marks, not only the successful culmination of 16 weeks of their ab-initio rigorous naval training but also the start of a new voyage in the Indian Navy, where men and women will work together to make the Indian Navy a combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future proof force.
During his address, the CNS urged the passing out trainees to hone their skills further and develop a strong foundation of knowledge, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to excel in their respective careers that lay ahead. He also urged them to uphold the Navy’s core values of duty, honour, and courage, in pursuit of nation-building.
On that day, the Chief Guest also gave medals and trophies to the most deserving “Agniveers.” Amalakanti Jayaram, “Agniveer Senior Secondary Recruit” (SSR) and Ajith P, “Agniveer Matric Recruit” (MR) were awarded the Chief of the Naval Staff Rolling Trophy and Gold Medal for Best “Agniveer” SSR and MR, respectively, in the men’s category. Khushi, Agniveer (SSR), was the Best Woman Agniveer in the overall order of merit. A Rolling Trophy was instituted to commemorate the vision of the late General Bipin Rawat – the first CDS was awarded to her, by the daughters of the late Gen. Bipin Rawat.
On the day, during the valedictory function, the CNS gave away the overall championship trophy to “Eklavaya Division” and the runner-up trophy to “Angad” and “Shivaji Division”. He also unveiled the summer edition of Ankur, the bilingual trainees’ magazine of INS Chilka, in the presence of FOC-in-C Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi and Commodore NP Pradeep, Commanding Officer, INS Chilka.
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