At an impressive Passing-out Parade (POP) held at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala in Kerala recently, 330 cadets of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard and six cadets from friendly foreign countries passed through the portals of the INA, on successful completion of their training. This POP marked commissioning of the cadets of the 89th Indian Naval Academy Course (PB. Tech) and (M.Sc) Courses into the Indian Navy here today morning.

The passing-out cadets belonged to four different courses of the Autumn Term 2015, viz., the 89th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) BTech & M.Sc courses, the 20th Naval Orientation Course (Extende), and, the 21st Naval Orientation Course (Regular). Also graduating and marching shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts were 21 female cadets from the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.

The parade was reviewed by the Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff. After the ceremonial review, the Admiral awarded medals to nine meritorious cadets. During his address, the Admiral congratulated the passing-out cadets and advised them “to serve the country and Navy with pride and always uphold the five values, viz., (i) commitment - to make supreme sacrifice for the nation and navy, (ii) courage - both physical and moral; (iii) compassion - towards men and women you lead, (iv) credibility - in performance and character and (v) finally to have an integrity beyond doubt – always and every time”.

The President’s Gold Medal, for the cadet adjudged first in the overall order-of-merit of the INAC course was awarded to Flotilla Cadet Adjutant Jaswant Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal for the cadet adjudged first in overall order-of-merit for the Naval Orientation (Extended) Course was awarded to Cadet Arun Balaji E. Cadet Darshita Babu was awarded the Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal for the cadet adjudged first in overall order-of-merit for the Naval Orientation (Regular) Course and also the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (South) Gold Medal for being adjudged the best woman trainee of the course.