The Indian Navy recently held a significant passing out parade (POP) at INS Chilka in Odisha, marking the first batch of Agniveers to graduate from the Southern Naval Command. A total of 2585 Agniveers, including 272 women, successfully completed 16 weeks of rigorous naval training. The parade was reviewed by Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, and attended by Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, Rajya Sabha MP PT Usha, sports personality Mithali Raj, and naval veterans. The passing out trainees were urged to continue honing their skills and uphold the Navy’s core values of Duty, Honour and Courage. The Chief Guest awarded medals and trophies to the meritorious Agniveers, including Amalakanti Jayaram and Ajith P who were awarded the Chief of the Naval Staff Rolling Trophy and Gold Medal for Best Agniveer SSR and MR, respectively, in the men’s category. Khushi was named Best Woman Agniveer in the overall order of merit. A Rolling Trophy was instituted to commemorate the vision of late General Bipin Rawat, which was awarded to Khushi by his daughters. The event also saw the overall Championship Trophy presented to Eklavaya Division and the Runners Up Trophy awarded to Angad and Shivaji Division. The Chief of the Naval Staff also unveiled the summer edition of Ankur, a bilingual trainees’ magazine of INS Chilka, in the presence of senior naval officers and Commodore NP Pradeep, Commanding Officer, INS Chilka. The event was attended by a large number of defence personnel, special invitees, and the parents and guardians of the graduating Agniveers.
