Dehradun, June 14, 2025 History comes full circle as Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, returns to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) not as a cadet this time, but as the Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade (POP).
A proud alumnus of the 87th Regular Course, Lieutenant General Rodrigo joined IMA in July 1989 and was commissioned into the Sri Lanka Army from these very parade grounds on 15 December 1990. After more than three decades of distinguished service, his return as the Reviewing Officer is both a moment of pride and a symbol of the IMA’s far-reaching impact not just in India, but across the world.
The Significance of the Passing Out Parade (POP)
The Passing Out Parade is the most awaited moment in a Gentleman Cadet’s journey at IMA. It is not just a ceremonial event but it is a celebration of transformation from civilian youth to future military leaders.
Held at the iconic Drill Square, the POP is where the newly trained cadets march with pride and glory, saluting their seniors, instructors, and the reviewing officer. It marks the culmination of rigorous training, physically demanding, mentally challenging and emotionally strengthening.
The final step is a symbolic tradition known as the “Antim Pag” (Last Step), when cadets step off the parade ground leaving behind their training days and stepping into the real world as commissioned officers of the Indian Army and friendly foreign nations.
The Indian Military Academy : A Cradle of Leadership
Established in 1932, the Indian Military Academy has been a pillar of India’s defence preparedness. It is located in Dehradun. This esteemed institution has shaped generations of military leaders. The Academy instils values of discipline, integrity, courage, and selfless service.
At IMA, training is not just about physical endurance and drill. Cadets are taught military tactics, fieldcraft, weapon handling, and leadership under stress. They are trained to think critically, make quick decisions under pressure, and lead from the front.
Notably, the Academy’s motto, “Veerta Aur Vivek” (Valour and Wisdom), reflects its mission to produce warriors who are both brave and wise.
A Global Brotherhood : Training of Foreign Cadets at IMA
What makes IMA truly special is its international appeal. Every year, cadets from friendly foreign countries including Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and African nations come to train alongside Indian cadets.
These foreign Gentlemen Cadets undergo the same rigorous training and are held to identical standards. They live, eat, train, and march shoulder-to-shoulder with their Indian counterparts, forging bonds that last a lifetime.
Once commissioned, they return to their countries as proud IMA alumni often rising to top positions in their respective armed forces. Lieutenant General Rodrigo is a shining example of this international legacy. His return to IMA as Reviewing Officer is not only a personal milestone but a symbol of India’s defence diplomacy and the IMA’s global reputation.
Shaping the Future of Indian Army
The IMA doesn’t just produce officers but it produces the leaders of character. Many of the Army’s most decorated and senior officers have walked the same corridors and marched on the same drill square.
- General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, was an IMA alumnus.
- Captain Vikram Batra (PVC) and Lieutenant Manoj Pandey (PVC), heroes of the Kargil War, were also trained at IMA.
- Countless officers have led from the front in counter-insurgency operations, peacekeeping missions, and during national emergencies upholding the values instilled at IMA.
IMA graduates are trained not only to fight but to lead in peace and in war, in crisis and in calm. Their influence extends beyond the battlefield, many serve as military attachés, United Nations peacekeepers, and advisors in strategic policy.
A Moment of Inspiration
As Lieutenant General Rodrigo reviews the Parade on June 14, it will be a moment of immense pride for him, for the cadets, and for the entire military community. It is a reminder that IMA’s legacy is not confined to India. It echoes in the corridors of power and in the battlefield strategies of armies across the globe.
To every aspiring cadet dreaming of wearing the uniform this is your calling. The Indian Military Academy stands ready to shape you, test you, and transform you into a leader the nation can rely on.
