CHENNAI: Amid cheers, hugs and proud smiles from their families, 342 officer cadets were welcomed into the Indian Army as commissioned officers, as they passed out of the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai on Saturday.The passing-out parade of the SSC-122nd and SSC (Women)-36th batches saw 313 men and 29 women commissioned into various Arms and Services of the Army. A total of 17 cadets from friendly foreign countries also completed their training.The cadets from friendly foreign countries were from Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Bhutan and Lesotho.Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, reviewed the parade. In his speech, he said warfare had changed since he entered the battlefield as a young officer nearly four decades ago. Advances in precision weapons, sensors and technology have made operations faster and more sophisticated, he said. “The character of warfare may have changed in many ways, but fundamentally, war remains a profoundly human endeavour. Outcomes shall continue to be determined by the men and women who fight, lead, inspire, persist and persevere,” he said.“The real training actually begins today,” he said, adding that while the academy had taught them how to become officers, their units would teach them how to command and their experiences would shape them into leaders.He said five things for the outgoing officers. The mind is the biggest weapon. While technology can assist, it cannot replace human wisdom and judgement, he said. “Don’t outsource your thinking to an algorithm,” he said. He added that the officers must remain students for life, building their knowledge and courage. “Make trust your currency. Unlike social media, followership in uniform is hard-earned,” he said.He presented the Sword of Honour and Bronze Medal to BUO Gurkeerat Singh Hora, the OTA Gold Medal to AUO Abhinab Chauhan and the Silver Medal to ACA Niket Singh Tomar.In the soft morning light at the Parameshwaran Drill Square, folks in olive green marched in, carrying dreams for the future or stepping into what they once dreamt of. But once they were commissioned, they broke into celebrations.Parents rushed with phones and cameras held high, trying to capture every moment. Siblings screamed their brothers’ and sisters’ names and waved from the crowd. Some officers jumped with joy and shouted back. Friends threw one another into the air, while some joined their friends and family members in push-up contests. There were long hugs, cheek kisses, and emotional video calls with family members who could not be there.
