Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113060620300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

104 officer cadets pass out

Staff Reporter

Kochi: An impressive passing-out parade of officer cadets of the 76th integrated course took place onboard training ships INS Tir and Krishna on Saturday.

Vice-Admiral Sunil K. Damle, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, reviewed the parade.

One hundred and four cadets comprising trainees from the National Defence Academy and the Naval Academy and the Coast Guard successfully completed their basic afloat training on board the First Training Squadron, comprising naval ships Tir, Krishna, Tarangini and Coast Guard Ship Varuna. The First Training Squadron is commanded by Captain Rajiv Mehta.

The Vice-Admiral, in his address, reminded the cadets of the perils the nation faces and exhorted them to be ready to face them.

Strenuous training

During the 24 weeks of strenuous sea training, which commenced on June16, the cadets were exposed to various facets of seafaring and survival training.

During the parade, Cadet Siddarth Gupta received the coveted ‘Chief of Naval Staff Trophy’ and ‘Binoculars’ for standing first in overall order of merit. Cadet Sarang Joshi was awarded the trophy for standing second in the order of merit. Cadet Joshi received the ‘Telescope’ for the ‘Best All Round Cadet’ and Cadet Umesh Singh was awarded the ‘FOC-in-C East Rolling Trophy’ for the most promising cadet.

Cadet Sudeep Rawat was awarded the ‘FOC-in-C South Rolling Trophy’ for the best sportsman. Assistant Commandant Kundan Singh was awarded trophy for coming first in order of merit from the Coast Guard.

Senior naval officers and parents of the cadets were present.