The Hindu : IAF officers urged to lead from the front

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 23, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

IAF officers urged to lead from the front

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD June 22. In all, 125 trainee officers including 15 women officers, were commissioned into the IAF at an impressive Combined Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy near here on Saturday. A large number of Air Force officers and civilians, mostly family members of the trainees thronged the Academy venue to witness the colourful event.

Fly past by Chetaks and HPT-32 formations were the highlight of the day.

Addressing the trainees passing out, Air Marshal T.J. Master, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, reminded them of the critical times that the country was passing through. There was a shortage of critical hardware and personnel. Each of the officers must function with grit and determination and fulfil the trust placed in them by the nation.

Air Marshal Master said the need of the hour was good leadership and added they had a moral responsibility for their subordinates' welfare. They should practise their preachings and the focus should be on building character.

Air Force service was a strategic one and was essential for the progress of the nation, he said.

A great responsibility was being put on their shoulders from today onwards, compared to any other profession, as the capability and quality of our Air Force would soon rest in their hands. On their leadership and performance depended the lives of their colleagues in future.

Earlier, Air Marshal Master took the salute and inspected the parade.

Fg. Officer C. Suresh was awarded the President's Plaque for being first in overall order of merit in the 169th Pilot Course. He also bagged the CAS Sword of Honour being the best all rounder of the batch.

Fg. Officer Mudit Kulshresta who stood first in order of merit in the 93 Navigation Course was awarded the President's Trophy and Fg. Officer Raghuvir Singh who stood first in order of merit in the 110 Ground Duty Officers' Course, was given the President's Plaque.

The break-up of trainees is as follows: Pilots course - 57, Navigation Course - 6, Ground Duty Officers Course - 39, Short Service Commission (Women) - 15, Naval Officers - 6 and Coast Guard - 1 and one trainee officer in the GDO's course.

Journalists protest: Journalists who were invited to cover the event were ill-treated by IAF personnel at the venue leading to their lodging a protest with Air commodore A.D. Chibbar, Commandant of the Air Force Academy. The Air Force PRO had earlier threatened photographers, "You get the kicks if you click.'' The Commandant profusely apologised later to the press corps and promised corrective measures.

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IAF officers urged to lead from the front