The graduating class had been preparing for the event for two hours every morning for the past two weeks. It had routine practice for two hours once in two weeks before that.
"We do not have to practice endlessly because we are trained and disciplined throughout our course. That is the style of the NDA," says Academy Cadet Adjutant Ashish Mehta, who was awarded the bronze medal in the overall order of merit in the passing out course.
Of the 277 cadets, eight Bhutanese nationals also graduated from the Academy and will go on to serve their country.
One of the most solemn moments of the parade was the three member Nishan Toli carrying the flag of the President's colours, which was presented to the Academy in 1978 by then President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy in recognition of the valour of the martyrs who laid down their lives defending India.
As the President’s colours were marched across the parade ground, all those in uniform -- including the cadets -- saluted the flag and all civilians stood up as the flag passed in front of them
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