Be prepared for more Kargils: Navy chief

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JUNE 17. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sushil Kumar, has called upon the passing out graduates of Air Force Academy to be prepared for many challenges ahead like Kargil.

Addressing the combined graduation parade of the pilot, navigation and ground duty officer courses at the Academy at Dundigal near here on Saturday, he said the career in Air Force was not a bed of roses. "You have a special duty for the society and the nation", he exhorted the young pilots and ground duty officers. It was no doubt a moment of celebration but "you will have to face many a Kargil", he said.

In all, 113 candidates including 43 of pilot course participated in the impressive parade. They included three women pilots.

The Naval chief reviewed the parade and took salute at the impressive march past. He gave away trophies and prizes to the candidates who had distinguished themselves in different spheres.

Flying Officer, Hansel Sequiera, won the President's Plaque and also the Chief of Air Staff Sword of Honour for standing first in overall order of Merit.

The President's trophy for the first in order of merit of the Naval Course was bagged by Flying Officer, Abhisek Jha, and the President's plaque for the first in order of merit of Ground Duty Officers course went to Flying Officer, R. Khuswaha.

On arrival at the parade, Admiral Sushil Kumar was received by Air Marshal J.S. Roy, Air Officer Commanding-in-chief of the Training Command and the Academy's commandant, Air Vice Marshal S.S. Sisodia.

The colourful ceremony was attended by former Governors, Gen. (retd.) K.V. Krishna Rao, Air Chief Marshal (retd.) I.H. Latif and Air Chief Marshal (retd.) Dennis La Fountain.

The other prize winners are: Flying Officer, S. Banerji (Chief of Air Staff Trophy-Pilot Course), Flying Officer, Prabhot Kaur (Minoo Engineer Trophy), Flying Officer, Abhisek Jha (Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Medal), Flying officer, R. Khushwaha (Chief of Air Staff-Administration), Flying Officer, C.S. Pardesi (Chief of Army Staff Trophy-Education), Flying Officer, V. Venkatramana (Chief Of Army Staff Trophy-Accounts), Flying Officer, Deepak Bhat (Chief of Army Staff Trophy for Metereology), Flying Officer, Mandeep Kaur (Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Medal--Administration), and Flying Officer, Pushpa Misha (Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Medal-Education).

The gathering was treated to a breathtaking flypast and aerobatics by Surya Kiran and other fighter aircraft.

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Section  : Southern States
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