New Delhi: The first batch of the Agniveers under the Indian Navy, numbering 2585 and which include 273 women, underwent 16 weeks of rigorous training at INS Chilika in Odisha.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Harikumar, attended the Passing Out Parade on March 28 after sunset as the chief guest.
The renowned athlete and President of the Indian Olympics Association, P T Usha, and the former captain of the Indian Women Cricket Team, Mithali Raj, also graced the function.
A large number of defence personnel, special invitees and the parents and guardians of the Agniveers were present on the occasion, officials said.
The ‘cool confidence’ that the young Agniveers exuded in the parade belied all the belligerent narrative that had sought to spread negative ideas about the very scheme when it was first announced by the Government.
The confidence of the young Agniveers, all eager to serve the motherland, coupled with the blessed presence of their proud parents and guardians, truly made the Passing Out Parade a historic moment, sources say.
A crown of glory and grandeur descended on the young Agniveers at INS Chilika as they took part at the Passing Out Parade.
In fact, the training of the first batch of Agniveers under the Navy began in November 2022.
INS Chilika is situated at Khurda, under the aegis of Southern Naval Command. The Passing Out Parade of Agniveers also was unique as it was the first of its kind as it took place after sunset. Indian Navy gave away the first General Bipin Rawat Rolling Trophy for the woman Agniveer trainee standing first in overall order of merit.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, termed the event as ‘historic’ and said that those passing out from the INS Chilka were making history.
About 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited by the Armed Forces this year through the Agnipath scheme.
The Government of India announced the Agnipath scheme in June 2022, replacing the legacy recruitment system to lower the age profile of the armed forces, ensure a fitter military, and create a technically skilled war-fighting force. The scheme is expected to bring down the average age of soldiers in the armed forces from the current 32 years to 24-26 years over the next five to six years.
