President Droupadi Murmu recently reviewed a Combined Graduation Parade held at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, marking the completion of training for 194 Flight Cadets of the Indian Air Force. Accompanied by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, the President commissioned the graduating flight cadets, with 39 women officers among the graduates. Further awards were presented to eight officers from the Indian Navy, eight from the Indian Coast Guard, and two from Vietnam People’s Air Force, with the President presenting various awards to trainees who excelled in different disciplines of training.
The President appreciated the IAF’s contribution to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief in India and abroad. She also acknowledged the IAF’s alignment to the national vision of ‘Atma-Nirbhar Bharat’ and its indigenisation efforts. The Reviewing Officer further complimented the IAF for evolving into a network-centric force and appreciated the induction of women officers in all roles and branches.
The ceremony culminated with newly commissioned officers receiving their first salute while marching out to the traditional notes of ‘Anandaloke’ by Rabindranath Tagore. A grand finale of the Combined Graduation Parade was formed by a scintillating aerobatic show by Pilatus aircraft, synchronous aerobatic displays by a Helicopter display team ‘Sarang’, ‘Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team’, with SU-30 MKI.
The President praised the IAF for its role in defending the country in the wars of 1948, 1965, 1971, and the Kargil conflict, demonstrating professionalism, dedication, and self-sacrifice. Newly commissioned officers were urged to be ready to face new challenges and to imbibe the spirit of the IAF’s motto, namely to ‘touch the sky with glory.’
