Passing Out Parade at INS Valsura

Passing Out Parade at INS Valsura

Rear Admiral RJ Nadkarni, VSM, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command reviewed the ‘Passing Out Parade’ (POP) of O-168 Electrical Specialization Course at INS Valsura on 13 April 2018. The POP marked the culmination of 95 weeks professional training in Electrical specialisation for the course of 39 officers, comprising 25 from the Indian Navy, four from the Indian Coast Guard and 10 from Friendly Foreign Navies. The Chief of Staff was presented a 19 men Guard of Honour, after which he reviewed the 38 immaculately turned out platoons on parade.

Following a smart march past, the Chief Guest awarded prizes to the meritorious officers for excelling in academics, sports and extra-curricular activities. The coveted Chief of Naval Staff trophy and Admiral Ramnath Trophy for ‘Best All-round Officer’ was awarded to SLt Rahul Pandey. The Commander AR Khandekar Rolling Trophy for standing first in overall order of merit, as well as the Chief of the Naval Staff Rolling Trophy for standing first in the Fleet Competency Board, were both awarded to SLt Kewal Krishnan. The DNRD Rolling trophy for the Best Project was awarded to a syndicate comprising Lt DMTPB Senavirathna, Lt NDCS Pushpakumara & Lt EMMPB Ekanayake of the Sri Lankan Navy. Asst. Cmdt Vignesh Prabhu of Indian Coast Guard was awarded the DGCG ‘Best All-Round Officer’ Rolling Trophy.

During his address to the parade, the Chief of Staff complimented all personnel for their excellent turnout and drill. In particular, he congratulated the officers of the passing out course on achieving this significant milestone in their career. He also stated that training at INS Valsura has kept pace with the rapid advancements in the field of technology, to prepare the personnel for the challenges they will face in maintaining costly electrical equipment onboard ships.

The function was also witnessed by parents of the passing out course, who proudly watched their wards slow march past the quarterdeck of INS Valsura in the traditional manner, to the strains of Auld Lang Syne.