Dehradun :11 December 1999, a weekend for many, was the most important day in the lives of 557 young men who had gathered behind the Chetwode Building early that day for the Passing Out Parade of 105 Regular and 88 Tech Course. Marching smartly and in unison, 40 minutes later, the 557 Gentleman Cadets including 18 from Friendly Foreign Countries crossed the ‘Antim Pag’ which marked the culmination of their training and they emerged as Lieutenants ready to give it all to protect the sovereignty and integrity of Bharat. 25 years since then, the officers of the course have made an indelible mark of bravery, valour, sacrifice and professionalism in the Armed Forces. They have served in various command and staff assignments in all parts of the country as well as over.
The course officers proudly boast of being awarded many gallantry awards including Ashok Chakras, Shaurya Chakras, Kirti Chakra and Sena Medals, in addition to many Distinguished Service awards. Lieutenant Colonel Manish Shrivastava, PRO Defence Dehradun, who was also commissioned along with the course and participated in the ceremony, mentioned that “32 officers of the course have laid down their lives in the service of the nation and fighting the enemies of the nation in various operations. Prominent names amongst them are of Major Mohit Sharma, Ashok Chakra, Sena medal, Major Dinesh Raghu Raman, Ashok Chakra, Captain DK Jha, Kirti Chakra, Lieutenant Hari Singh Bisht, Shaurya Chakra, Captain Umang Bhardwaj, Shaurya Chakra, Captain NS Siddhu, Shaurya Chakra and Major Samrat Maity, Shaurya Chakra.”
The course officers also have a distinguished honour of being a part of Indian Military Academy War Memorial inauguration by Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw in December 1999 just prior to the passing out this course and which also completed the 25 years of its inauguration this year.
The boys-to-men story also has a number of Veterans who have become entrepreneurs, while some others have joined the corporate world and have excelled in various fields thereby still significantly contributing to the Nation building.
The 105 Regular and 88 Tech Course celebrated the Silver Jubilee of their commissioning at IMA Dehradun on 21 December 24, with more than 340 officers of the course accompanied by their families and Next of Kin of fallen brothers joined in for the memorable event and to show gratitude to the institute which transformed them into leaders of men in uniform. The ceremony commenced with paying respect and homage to the fallen brothers at the IMA War Memorial followed by a group photograph in front of the Chetwode Building and a walk down the memory lane while visiting the hallowed hallways of Chetwode Building and their respective Companies where they trained and toiled together 25 years ago. The officers came from all corners of the country and recalled the days spent in IMA under the best of instructors and ‘ustads’ who inculcated the finest qualities of leadership in them. The participation of Next of Kin of the martyrs of the course underlined the spirit that the course remains one large family united by its undying spirit.
As part of the run-up to the event, on 11 Dec 2024, officers posted at different stations across the country carried out a “Wreath Laying Ceremony” along with the next of the kins of the bravehearts at 20 different stations. Main wreath laying ceremoney was conducted at National War Memorial at New Delhi. Also, the course members made a special endeavour to carry out various activities which included a 10,000 km All India Motor cycle expedition, a mountaineering expedition at Mount Kangyatse 2 and Kangyatse 1 in Leh and also to spread the message on “Fitness Awareness” the volunteer officers conducted individual Running, Walking and Cycling activities for a collective 1,25,000 km across the country and globe.
The Silver Jubilee events culminated with felicitation of the Next of Kin and renewed determination to serve the nation till one’s last breath in any and every field that is true to the teachings at the IMA Dehradun.
The Indian Military Academy expressed pride in the services and achievements of 105 Regular and 88 Technical Course officers and thanked them for visiting the Academy for their Silver Jubilee Reunion.
