The veterans of 50th Regular and 34th Technical Course, who passed out from IMA in December 1972, gathered at their “Alma Mater’ to Celebrate 50 years of their Commissioning in Army, here today. A total of 404 Gentleman Cadets (GCs), that included 330 from 50th and 74 from 34th Course, were commissioned in Army as “2nd Lieutenant” – the rank that has now been confined to military history books. These “One Starred” officers of Dec 1972 batch have given Indian Army 10 Lt Generals, 13 Major Generals and 46 Brigadiers, excelling at all levels of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments during their service to the Nation.
In Honours and Awards also, the Golden Jubilee celebrating veterans of this Batch have proved their grit by earning 01 Vir Chakra, 05 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 05 PVSM, 03 UYSM, 24 AVSM, 01 YSM, 29 VSM and more than fifty commendation cards. One officer from this batch, Major Ranjit Muthanna, made the Supreme sacrifice in the finest traditions of Indian Army, while serving in Sri Lanka. In Another landmark achievement 05 officers of this batch had diplomatic assignments of “Defence Attache” in countries like Pakistan, Germany, Turkey, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Another 06 offices have played major role in shaping the officer cadre of the Army by holding the prestigious appointment of Battalion Commanders at IMA. In addition to it more than forty officers from this batch had instructional appointments at IMA and other training establishments of Ministry of Defence. A total of 133 veterans, mostly with their spouses, were at IMA from 14 to 16 Dec 2022 to reconstruct their IMA days.
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The Golden Jubilee Celebrations started with Paying Tributes at the IMA War Memorial. 94 members this batch, who left for heavenly abode during and after service, were also remembered by their Jubilee attending Coursemates. A life size bronze Statue of Field Marshal KM Cariappa was presented to the IMA Commandant by the Golden batch. A ‘Coffee Table Book’ with “Then & Now” photographs of all 404 Coursemates alongwith their reminiscences and personal details was also released by to Officiating Commandant, IMA. The Ceremony was attended by some of the ‘directing staff’ of 1972 days, who at that time as young majors and captains had transformed the young raw “boys” of these Courses into officers of Army with their own examples and qualities of leadership. Their presence was a big morale booster for the Celebrating veterans. Fifty Saplings of exotic varieties were also planted in the IMA Campus to enhance the green cover and to add to the floral beauty of Academy.
