104 office cadets pass out of 76th integrated course

Kochi, Nov 29: In an impressive passing out parade, 104 Officer Cadets of the 76th Integrated Course passed out on Saturday, Nov 29 with Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral Sunil K Damle exhorting them to be ready to face and defeat the perils faced by the nation.

The cadets participating in the parade onboard ships INS Tir and INS Krishna comprised trainees from the National Defence Academy, Naval Academy and the Indian Coast Guard.

They successfully completed their basic afloat training on board the First Training Squadron, comprising ships INS Tir, INS Krishna, INS Tarangini and Indian Coast Guard Ship Varuna.

Complimenting the cadets on the successful completion of their training as seafarers and ''gaining their sea legs'', Vice-Admiral Damle asked the cadets to abide by the honour code at all times.

During the 24 weeks of strenuous sea training which commenced on June 16, 2008, the cadets were exposed to various facets of seafaring and survival training.

Cadet Siddarth Gupta received the coveted 'Chief of the 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 Sarang Joshi also 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. Asst Commandant Kundan Singh was awarded trophy for standing first in order of merit from Coast Guard.

Senior Naval officers and parents of the cadets witnessed the parade.

At the memorable stripe-shipping ceremony on completion of the parade, the parents and relatives of the cadets had the proud privilege of shipping the Midshipmen epaulettes, Sub Lieutenant and Assistant Commandant stripes on the cadets, who will now join frontline warships of the Western and Eastern Fleets and Coast Guard as midshipmen for the next six months.

UNI