IMA first batch celebrates Platinum Jubilee in Delhi

The historic first batch of Indian Military Academy (IMA), which was commissioned after Indian Independence, met here on Thursday to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of their commissioning from IMA Dehradun on the same day in1947.

45 Pakistan Army officers also studied with them, who later went to Pakistan.

Nonagenerarians of IMA's 2nd course gathered at around 1 pm to celebrate the occasion.

11 Gorkha Rifles Band was also present during the event.

71 years ago, on August 5, 1946, 249 young men reported at the Academy, brimming with confidence and hopes.

Half way through the course, 45 Pakistani cadets left on October 14, 1947. Hence, concluding the course concluded on December 21, 1947 with 189 gentlemen cadets being commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants on a Passing out Parade under the supervision of Sardar Baldev Singh, the first Defence Minister of a free India.

The commissioning of this batch coincided with the division of erstwhile British Indian Army and the birth of the Indian Army of free India.

These young men then went on to lead the regiments and units of the new Army to victory through four wars against Pakistan and a number of insurgencies.

The batch also set very high standards of achievement, with 12 of them attaining the rank of Lt Gen (including five achieving the penultimate rank of Army Commander), 20 Major Generals, 26 Brigadiers, 25 Colonels and 45 Lieutenant Colonels.

Like the first batch of new officers, they also laid the foundations of an apolitical Army and sanctified the principle of the army's subservience to civil control, in marked contrast to the emerging nations of Asia and Africa.

The officers of this course were also the standard bearers as officers of the newly merged Gorkha regiments, hitherto exclusively governed by the British.

All in all, the 2nd course IMA is rightfully recognized as a setter of new trends and high standards.

The first course passed out before the Independence.