Agniveers: Batch one of 756 Agniveers graduates in style | Bengaluru News – Times of India
This was the passing out parade of the Centre’s first batch of Agniveers, recruited into the Indian Army as part of the Agnipath scheme. The Agniveers have been recruited for all arms and service (troops are classified into two categories in the army – ‘arms’, consisting of armoured corps, infantry, artillery, engineers, signals corps and so on, and ‘services’, comprising troops that provide logistical support to the arms.
Parents of candidates arrived from different parts of India to watch their wards graduate in the presence of Lt Gen BK Repswal, Commandant, ASC Centre & College. Repswal said it is a matter of pride that the first batch of Agniveers, who successfully completed training with hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and passion, was finally passing out after 31 weeks of vigorous training. He asserted that they take oath to serve the nation with utmost dedication and integrity.
Some graduating Agniveers were part of the physical training display and performed variations of backflips, cartwheels, and tumbling among other gymnastic feats requiring fine balance and agility. The parade, which began at 7.30am, had Agniveers split into 11 groups and march to roaring cheers from officers and family members.
After an exchange of salutations, the parade retreated before a cultural performance began. As part of the display of physical and military skills, the parade was followed by the ASC ‘Tornadoes’ motorcycle display team, which displayed skills of daredevilry and coordination, leaving the audience in awe.
A parent of an Agniveer from rural Karnataka, who had arrived with her sisters, said: “They have taken a lot of trouble (to organise the parade) and it showed. I told him not to leave us and join the defence, but he was insistent since he was a child. We can’t recognise him now (after his cropped haircut). Now we feel glad.”
