Ninth batch of Agniveers. (Photo: Indian Navy)
New Delhi: INS Chilka, the Indian Navy’s premier ab-initio training establishment, will hold the passing out parade (POP) of the ninth batch of Agniveers of the Navy and Naviks of the Indian Coast Guard on November 13.
The chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, will be the chief guest and reviewing officer of the parade. More than 3,300 trainees will complete 16 weeks of ab-initio training at the parade. It is the largest batch to pass out from INS Chilka, the naval training establishment on the Chilika lagoon in Odisha.
The training programme is meant to turn young recruits into disciplined, physically agile, mentally resilient and professionally competent sailors. The curriculum combines academics, physical conditioning, swimming, parade drills, outdoor activities and a training camp, which together form the base for the trainees' careers.
The Navy said equal emphasis is placed on character building, leadership, discipline, camaraderie and teamwork. Trainees are also taught the core naval values of Duty, Honour and Courage.
Families of the trainees will watch them complete their training and begin their careers. Naval veterans and other distinguished guests will also attend.
The valedictory function will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, flag officer commanding-in-chief of the Southern Naval Command. Awards will be presented to meritorious trainees, the champion division and the best instructor, in recognition of their performance and contribution to training.
The event will also see the unveiling of ‘Ankur’, the bilingual magazine of the trainees. “The parade will be streamed live on the Navy's official social media platforms, so that people across the country can watch it,” Indian Navy spokesperson Captain Vivek Madhwal said.
