We are ready for Pak: Adm tells his cadets

In all, 573 Gentlemen Cadets passed out of the IMA today to join duties as officers of the Indian Army on the borders. It was a memorable occasion not just for the passing out cadets, but also for Admiral Singh — whose father was the first Indian officer to pass out of the same academy 68 years ago — who was the Reviewing Officer of today’s Passing Out Parade.

However, tensions along the border had their effect on the day’s celebrations which were held amid tight security. All roads leading to IMA were sealed and only the parents and guardians of the cadets were allowed to move.

Speaking to mediapersons, the Admiral said both Kandla and Bombay ports, which are considered the most profit making as well as the most sensitive, were ‘‘well-protected and under no-danger whatsoever’’. Ships are on constant patrol and security is being provided to the ONGC pipelines.

The Admiral announced that the construction of an air-defence ship, which will start next year in Cochin, will be completed in eight years time. Admiral Singh admitted that the number of ships in the Navy had decreased over the past ten years as old ships had not been replaced with new ones. ‘‘But the Government has realised this over the past two years and has given more funds to the Navy now,’’ Singh said.

Asked if the Navy will be receiving any military support from the US as the it had been instrumental in escorting US ships through the Strait of Malacca and protecting them from terrorist or pirate attacks. The Admiral said that the escort provided was a ‘‘coalition against terrorism and has nothing to do with an Indo-Pakistan conflict.’’