Addressing the 387 cadets who passed at IMA today, President said the cadets should recall the iconic status acquired by one of the many illustrious military leaders of IMA. Gen Bipin Rawat. By dint of his hard work, Gen Rawat became a role model of his soldiery conduct for the future generation, he said.
President recalled the rich legacy of IMA, giving examples of top generals of the country- Field Marshal Cariappa, Field Marshal Gen Sam Manekshaw, Gen Bipin Rawat and many other top soldiers and warriors, who had passed out from IMA and served this nation with dedication over the years.
“We gathered here today when the nation is yet to come out of the shock of the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 10 other brave soldiers who were killed in the helicopter crash on December 8. “Gen Rawat was an extraordinary military leader and his death has created a void that cannot be filled”, he said.
President said Uttarakhand was his home and he was trained at the Indian Military Academy here. “He was awarded the sword of honour for his exceptional skills, but for the tragedy he would have been among us here today looking at the passing out parade with delight and pride, President said.
He said Gen Rawat has added to the glory of the IMA which is an institution with an inspiring tradition. Gen Bipin Rawat was an extraordinary military leader”, President said.
Ram Nath Kovind said as modern day military leaders you must embrace the technological shift and understand seamless energy required between men and machines. As military leaders you will have to develop a strategic mindset, cultivate, adapt temperament and acquire the mental resilience essential to hone in skills required for military leadership, he said.
President said this parade comprises cadets from all parts of India and from diverse communities as also from 10 friendly foreign countries. “This is indeed a true manifestation of opportunity and also a power of plural society”, he said.
Dr Kovind also paid floral tributes to the former President Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary at Rajbhawan Uttarakhand. He was received at Dehradun by Uttarakhand Governor LT Gen (Retd) Gurmeet Singh yesterday.
