01 June,2025 06:26 PM IST | Ezhimala | mid-day online correspondent
The reviewing officer commissioned the new officers, who will proceed to various naval establishments and ships for specialised training. PIC/DEFENCE PRO
The Passing Out Parade (POP) of Spring Term 2025 was conducted at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala on May 31.
A total of 186 trainees from the Indian Naval Academy (INA) completed their ab-initio training at the parade.
The graduating batch included Midshipmen from the 107th and 108th INA courses, as well as cadets from the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Naval Orientation Courses, including the Coast Guard. Cadets from four friendly foreign countries were also among the pass-outs. The importance of integrating foreign cadets was emphasised as a means strengthen international naval cooperation and showcase India's naval training excellence on the global stage.
Vice-Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, reviewed the parade. The event was attended by Vice-Admiral CR Praveen Nair, Commandant of the INA, as well as senior naval officers and distinguished guests.
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Midshipman Nakul Saxena was awarded the President's Gold Medal for securing first place in the INA B Tech course. The Rajya Raksha Mantri Trophy for the Most Promising Cadet went to Midshipman Kiondo Michael Florence from Tanzania.
Other notable awards included the FOC-in-C (South) Trophy presented to Midshipman Nithin S Nair for topping the order of merit among ex-NDA trainees; the Chief of Naval Staff Gold Medals for best performances in the Naval Orientation Course (Extended) and Naval Orientation Course (Regular), awarded to Cadets Pawar Rohit Prakash and Rajnish Singh respectively; and the Director General Coast Guard Trophy awarded to Cadet Kommu David.
The Cheetah Squadron received the Commandant's Champion Squadron Banner for outstanding performance across academics, training, drill, sports, and extracurricular activities throughout the term.
Vice-Admiral Srinivas commended the trainees for their discipline, military bearing, and drill precision. He congratulated the medal recipients and the champion squadron, and praised the training faculty and supportive families.
Following the parade, the reviewing officer and dignitaries commissioned the new officers, who will proceed to various naval establishments and ships for specialised training.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, May 30, issued a strong warning to Pakistan, saying it would face the full force of the Indian Navy if it engages in any "evil" activity, a statement issued by the Defence PRO said.
Speaking aboard India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, Singh praised the Navy's role in Operation Sindoor and made it clear that India would not hesitate to respond to terrorism.
"Operation Sindoor is not just a military action, but India's frontal assault against terrorism, and if Pakistan resorts to anything evil or unethical, it will, this time, face the firepower and ire of the Indian Navy," said Singh while addressing officers & sailors onboard India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the Goa coast on May 30.
Rajnath Singh called the Indian Navy's actions a "frontal assault against terrorism" and said the Carrier Battle Group had effectively kept the Pakistani Navy confined to its ports during the operation. "If Pakistan tries anything wrong again, it will face the wrath of the Indian Navy," he said.
The Defence Minister also stated that Pakistan must stop using its soil for terrorist activities and hand over individuals like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, who are both UN-designated terrorists and wanted in India for their role in attacks such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He referred to Tahawwur Rana, recently extradited to India, as an example of India's resolve to bring terrorists to justice, the official statement said.
On the subject of dialogue, Rajnath Singh was firm: "If there are to be any talks with Pakistan, it will only be about terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Nothing else."
