NewsGate Press Network

For the veterans of the 50th regular and 34th technical course who passed out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in December 1972, the Thursday the 15th of December 2022 will be forever etched their memory for the next part of their lives.

They had gathered at their ‘alma mater’, to celebrate 50 years of their commissioning in the Army.

A total of 404 Gentlemen Cadets (GCs), that included 330 from the 50th and 74 from the 34th Technical Course, were commissioned inb the Indian Army as “2nd Lieutenant”  – a rank that has now being confined to military history books.

These “one starred” officers of the Dec 1972 batch have given Indian Army 10 Lt. Generals, 13 Major Generals and 46 Brigadiers, excelling at all levels of command, staff and instructional appointments during their service to the nation.

In the Honours and Awards also, the Golden Jubilee celeberating veterans of this batch have proved their grit by earning one Vir Chakra, five Sena Medals  (Gallantry), five PVSM, three UYSM, 24 AVSH, one YSM, 29 VSM  and more than fifty commendation cards.

One officer from this batch, Major Ranjit Muthanna, made supreme cacrifice in the finest traditions of the Indian Army, while serving in Sri Lanka.

In another landmark achievement, five officers from this batch had diplomatic assignments of Defence Attaché in countries which among others included Pakistan, Germany, Turkey, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

A total of 133 veterans of December 1972 vintage, accompanied by their wives, next of kin of deceased course mates joined the celebrations.

A good number of officers came from other countries like USA, England, Australia and Canada to meet their ‘buddies’ of the training days –  half a century back.

On Thursday the day began early with by paying homage at the memorial of the Bravehearts at the IMA Memorial who made supreme sacrifice for the motherland.

A life size statue of Field Marshall K M Carrippa was presented to the IMA by these Golden Veterans expressing gratitude ton their ‘alma mater’.

A coffee table book containing IMA days photographs, memories, remanences and current details of all the course mates were also released.’

The book releasing ceremony was attended by the officers on staff of IMA in the year 1972, who were young Captains at that time, shaped the gentlemen cadets of these courses into confident and capable army officers.

Later the Golden veterans planted 50 saplings exotic varieties to enhance the green cover and add to the floral beauty IMA Campus.

A number of social functions, mock drill practice and game of golf also formed part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of 50th Course and 34th Technical Course at the IMA.