A glittering ceremony on Friday saw  546
cadets pass out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at  Dehradun
in Uttaranchal state.

The  academy  has a proud record of a large number  of  officers,
decorated  for  gallantry, who have passed out  from  within  its
portals,  and  has the distinction of training  Gentlemen  Cadets
from many friendly foreign countries.

The  historic  Chetwode Drill Square of the IMA  resounded   with
booming  commands and the thumping of young, determined heels  as
enthusiastic parents, friends and relatives of the cadets watched
the young men being commissioned officers into the Indian Army.

The Prince of Malaysia was among 19 foreign cadets who passed out
of the academy.

Located  between  the  Shivalik and Himalayan  foothills  in  the
scenic and forested Doon valley, the campus of the academy covers
an  area of about 1,500 acres mid-way between the Ganges and  the
Yamuna rivers.

The  IMA  was  established  on October  1,  1932,  with   British
Brigadier   l.P.Collins  as  commandant.   Till    1932    Indian 
officers   used to be  trained  at  the  Royal Military  Academy,
Sandhurst, alongwith British officers.

Over  the  years IMA's capacity has been raised  to  train  1,950
cadets annually.

In  recent years, army officials have expressed concern over  the
decreasing number of youth opting for a career in the forces.

Till a decade ago, youngmen's options were limited to jobs either
in the Indian government or the army.

But with the liberalisation of economy which began in early 1990s
and  the  boom  in information technology  sector,  a  career  in
private  corporate sector has emerged one of the most  attractive
options for the graduates. (ANI)