2966 Trainees, Including 402 Women Agniveers, Pass Out from INS Chilka in Grand Ceremony

Bhubaneswar: In a landmark moment for the Indian Navy, 2,966 trainees, including 402 women Agniveers, 288 Senior Secondary Recruits (Medical Assistants), and 227 Naviks, successfully passed out from INS Chilka, Odisha. The Passing Out Parade (POP), held in a unique post-sunset ceremony, marked the completion of 16 weeks of rigorous Naval training.

Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, reviewed the parade, while Commodore B. Deepak Aneel, Commanding Officer, INS Chilka, conducted the proceedings. The ceremony was graced by high-achieving veterans and sports personalities, including Sureddy Siva Kumar, Sandeep Gupta, Lohrii Besii, GS Kocher, and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Eldhose Paul. The presence of the proud families of the newly trained personnel added to the celebratory atmosphere.

The POP symbolized not just the successful culmination of initial training but also the beginning of a new chapter for these recruits as they embark on their journey in the Indian Navy. The force remains committed to fostering a gender-neutral environment, ensuring all personnel are prepared to serve as a “Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future-Ready” force.

Addressing the newly inducted Agniveers, Vice Admiral Srinivas lauded their dedication, discipline, and resilience. He urged them to sharpen their technical skills, stay informed about emerging technologies, and uphold the Navy’s core values of Duty, Honour, and Courage. He also extended heartfelt appreciation to the parents of the Agniveers, acknowledging their unwavering support and sacrifice.

Recognizing excellence, the Chief Guest presented prestigious awards to top-performing Agniveers. Devraj Singh Rathore (AVR-MR) and Pramodh Singh (AVR-SSR) received the Chief of the Naval Staff Rolling Trophy and Gold Medal for Best Agniveer in their respective categories. Mansa Gulivindhala (AVR-SSR) was honored with the Gen Bipin Rawat Rolling Trophy as the Best Woman Agniveer. Mohit Kumar (NVK-GD) was awarded the Director General, Indian Coast Guard Rolling Trophy and Director General Gold Medal for Best Navik (General Duty).

Earlier in the Valedictory function, the Angre Division was declared the overall champion, while Eklavya Division secured the runners-up trophy. Vice Admiral Srinivas also unveiled the latest edition of Ankur, the bilingual magazine of INS Chilka.