Chilika: First batch of 2585 Agniveers including 273 female cadets of the Indian Navy passed out from the portals of INS Chilka, in a first of its kind -ceremonial night passing out parade, held on Tuesday under the aegis of Southern Naval Command.
The parade was reviewed by Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, in the presence of VAdm MA Hampiholi, the flag officer commanding-in -chief, Southern Naval Command, Member of Parliament P.T. Usha, eminent sports personality Mithali Raj and also certain imminent naval veterans.
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, officials said.
During his address, the Admiral urged the passing out trainees to hone their skills further and develop a strong foundation of knowledge, willingness to learn and 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.
The chief guest awarded medals and trophies to meritorious Agniveers on the occasion.
Amalakanti Jayaram, Ajith P., amongst men were awarded with chief of Naval Staff Rolling Trophy and gold medal for Best Agniveer SSR & MR, respectively.
Kushi Agniveer-SSR was the best woman Agniveer in overall order of merit. A Rolling Trophy, instituted to commemorate the vision of Late General Bipin Rawat – the First CDS, was awarded to her by the daughters of Late Gen Bipin Rawat.
Earlier in the day, during the valedictory function, the chief of the Naval Staff gave away the overall Championship Trophy to Eklavya-Division, and Runners-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 the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command and Commodore N.P. Pradeep, Commanding Officer, INS Chilka.