The Convocation Ceremony of 139th NDA course was held at Habibullah Hall, NDA on 6 November. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Prof (Dr) Nitin R. Karmalkar, Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule, Pune University, Pune. At least 217 cadets were conferred the degree of Jawaharlal Nehru University which included 49 cadets in science stream, 113 cadets in Computer Science stream and 55 cadets in Arts stream.12 Cadets from friendly foreign countries were also awarded degrees during the programme. In addition to this, the fourth batch of B.Tech comprising of 45 naval cadets and 35 Air Force cadets also received course completion certificates. They would continue the fourth year of their B.tech curriculum at their respective service academy.
The Chief Guest was received by Lt Gen Asit Mistry, Commandant, National Defence Academy. After Commandant’s address, the academic report of Autumn Term-20 was presented by Principal, NDA. The Chief Guest in his convocation address congratulated the cadets of the passing out course for undergoing the training with dedication and hard work. He emphasised about the role and importance of armed forces in shaping India and also motivated the future military leaders to carry forward the professionalism and ethos imbibed at the academy towards the service of the nation.
Cadet Quartermaster Sergeant Arkshit Kapoor won the Commandant’s Silver medal and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Trophy presented by General K Sundarji for standing first in Science stream, Squadron Cadet Captain Parul Yadav won the Commandant’s Silver medal and Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Trophy presented by Admiral Sureesh Mehta for standing first in Computer Science Stream. Battalion cadet Adjutant Dhananjay Jasrotia bagged the Commandant’s Silver Medal and Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Trophy presented by Air Chief Marshal N.C. Surifor standing first in Arts Stream and Squadron Cadet Captain Sawan Maan won the Commandant’s Silver Medal and Admiral OS Dawson’s Trophy for standing first in B.Tech.Rear Admiral Atul Anand, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor, presented the Vote of Thanks on conclusion of the Convocation ceremony. The passing out parade of 139th NDA course is on 7 November. The Reviewing officer for the parade is Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.
SOUTHERN ARMY COMMANDER INTERACTS WITH NDA AWARD WINNERS
Lt Gen C.P. Mohanty, GOC-in-C Southern Command interacted with award winning cadets of the National Defence Academy on the eve of passing out parade of the Course Number 139. The interaction was held in Southern Command headquarters. The cadets shared the experience of last three years of gruelling training at the NDA. Army Commander Southern Command while interacting with cadets congratulated them for their hard work and dedication towards training. He also called upon all cadets and said that they all should continue to train harder and strive for excellence and prepare themselves to serve the nation as commissioned officers soon.
The award winners who were part of the interaction were Battalion Cadet Captain Anirudh Singh, winner of the President’s Gold Medal and best all round Army Cadet. DCC Somay Badola winner of the President’s Silver Medal. BCC Anmol, who was adjudged Best all round Naval Cadet with President’s Bronze Medal. He was also awarded best Cadet in Drill and riding. All these three award winner cadets are from the prestigious RIMC school in Dehradun. Besides them ACC Utkarsh Sharma was adjudged Best All round Air Force Cadet. ACA Mukul Thakur was also present during the interaction.