New Delhi, 13 November (H.S.): A total of 2,756 Agniveers, including 142 women, formally joined the Indian Navy as sailors following an impressive Passing-Out Parade at INS Chilka on Friday. The ceremony also marked the successful completion of training by 286 medical assistants of the Indian Navy and 316 Naviks of the Indian Coast Guard.

With 3,358 trainees completing their training in a single batch, the ceremony marked the largest-ever passing-out batch at INS Chilka, the Indian Navy's premier training establishment.

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, was the Chief Guest and Reviewing Officer at the parade. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, was also present, along with senior naval officers, distinguished representatives from civil and military institutions, veterans, students and the families of the passing-out trainees.

Addressing the gathering, the Navy Chief described the parade as a significant milestone in the trainees' professional journeys. He said the recruits were now ready to join the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard as disciplined, capable and professionally trained maritime personnel, equipped to take on the challenges of life at sea.

The ninth batch of Agniveers to pass out from INS Chilka successfully completed 16 weeks of rigorous training. The programme was designed to transform young recruits into disciplined, physically fit, mentally resilient and professionally competent maritime personnel.

Throughout the training period, the recruits received instruction in academics, physical conditioning, swimming, parade drills, outdoor activities and training camps. Particular emphasis was also placed on character development, leadership, discipline, camaraderie and teamwork, alongside the Navy's core values of Duty, Honour and Courage.

The Passing-Out Parade was a moment of immense pride and accomplishment for the trainees and their families, who witnessed the culmination of their rigorous training and the beginning of their professional careers in the maritime forces. Meritorious trainees, the Champion Division and the Best Instructor were felicitated with awards in recognition of their exceptional performance and contributions to the training programme.

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of 'Ankur', a bilingual magazine prepared by the trainees. To enable people across the country to witness the occasion, the Passing-Out Parade was livestreamed on the Indian Navy's official social media platforms.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar