Passing Out Parade of SSC-118, SSC (W)-32, and equivalent courses held at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai on 07 Sep 2024. Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, VCOAS, presided over the event. He reviewed the ceremonial parade in a proud and defining moment. It was a faultless display of discipline and precision-testimony to the high training standards the Officer Cadets had received in the Academy. The parade itself remained symbolic of dedication, pride, and commitment on the part of the cadets to rise and serve their nation.
The Passing Out Parade marked the commissioning into the Indian Army of 297 Officer Cadets, including 39 women. Additionally, 15 Officer Cadets from friendly foreign nations graduated from strenuous training at OTA Chennai, out of which five were women. This further underlines the international cadets’ participation in supplementing the Academy’s role in fostering the bonds of comradeship and cooperation beyond borders, a reflection of the ever-increasing importance of international military relationships.
At the commissioning ceremony held at the academy, Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani congratulated the newly commissioned officers and their beaming families, bringing to the fore the great honour that comes with joining the armed forces. He spoke of the cornerstones of duty, honour, and dedication and exhorted young officers to become custodians of the rich tradition and ethos that the Indian Army has built. In short, his address called on the new officers to rise to being the best they could be and to live up to the spirit of leadership into which they were just about to enter in their military careers.
One of the most memorable moments was the Pipping Ceremony, during which the VCOAS himself pinned the ranks on some of the Gentleman and Lady Cadets as a mark of their induction into the Indian Army as commissioned officers. It formed a moment of immense pride for both the cadets and the parents of the passing out, as it marked a new chapter in their lives as defenders of the nation.
Another highlight of the day was a poignant tribute paid to martyred heroes. Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, leading the newly commissioned officers, laid wreaths at the OTA Chennai War Memorial in honor of the Bravehearts. The gesture paid homage to those who had given their lives for the country and filled the Officer Cadets with an immense sense of respect, gratitude, and unfinished obligation toward the memory of the lost comrades.
The Passing Out Parade at OTA Chennai was a celebration not only of the achievements of these Officer Cadets but also mirrored the eternal values of service, sacrifice, and leadership that are the bedrock of the Indian Army. The newly commissioned officers now join the ranks of this prestigious institution, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and character to lead and defend the nation with honor and pride.
It has been a great moment of accomplishment, an achievement that testifies to the professionalism continued by the Indian Army and how the Academy has been shaping and will continue to shape generations of military leaders.