PoP: 119th NDA BATCH READY FOR ACTION

In his address,Air Chief Marshal Naik said,“The completion of the NDA training is a landmark event in the lives of the cadets and I offer my warmest felicitations for having overcome its rigors and challenges successfully. The day also holds special significance for parents and guardians who supported and inspired the cadets through their training schedule at Khadakwasla.” He said,“As you step out of the NDA to the sound of Auld Lang Syne,you will begin a journey beyond the quarter deck. The journey will set you on the path to evolve as future military leaders.”

In the backdrop of the Adarsh housing scam,the Chief of the Air Staff made it a point to include a few words of caution for the cadets. He said,“Today,in the media,you may be hearing things that have shown the Armed Forces in poor light,but these are only exceptions that can happen with any organisation. The core of armed forces is pure and rock solid because of every member’s commitment and integrity. This is where we live and die for honour and courage.” He also said the much-prolonged Brahmos test on the Sukhoi would be conducted by next year.

Also present on the occasion were Lt General Pradeep Khanna,GOC- in-C,Southern Command,commandant of NDA Vice Admiral Satish Soni,deputy commandant Air Vice Marshal Ajit Bhonsle and other senior serving and retired officers of the Armed Forces.

The PoP that began at 7.30 am concluded with a spectacular air show by the Sukhoi 30 MKI followed by breathtaking chopper formations by four helicopters of the Sarang team.

Pak Defence attache attends NDA function
Brigadier Sarfaraz Sattar Chaudhury,defence attache of Pakistan,attended the PoP. Brigadier Chaudhury joined the Pakistan Army in 1982 as a Lieutenant after finishing his military training from Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul. “The parade reminded me of my cadet years and the memories came alive watching the parade. In Pakistan,we do not have an academy that trains undergraduates to become officers. The NDA is a great academy,” he said. Refusing to answer questions of political nature,Brigadier Chaudhury,on being asked about the Indo-Pak relations,said,“The fact that I am attending the function says it all.”