Dehradun: The Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun is one of the elite institutions of the country training Gentlemen Cadets for the commission in the Indian Army.
The Academy is known for its glorious history and dynamic efficiency along with valiant traditions that are not only an integral part of the Nation’s proud heritage but also forms an indispensable sheet anchor of independent India’s national security.
IMA encourages a Gentlemen Cadet to reflect on the greatness of India’s diversity, her secular foundation and to honour the traditions and customs of the Army.
After completing the training, as many as 325 Gentlemen Cadets would be passing out from the Academy this term.
Pakistani Flag at Academy's Museum
Today we are going to tell you the story of the Pakistani flag which is kept at the historic museum of the academy.
This Pakistani flag not only gives goosebumps to GCs but also tells the story of the 1971 war when India not only defeated Pakistan but also brought their soldiers to their knees.
As an architect of the 1971 war, Sam Manekshaw, an ex-GC of the IMA, was instrumental in a swift and decisive victory for the Indian forces.
It is said that it was only after conquering Pakistan that the Indian Army brought this Pakistani flag from the western region. Since then, this Pakistani flag has been kept at the academy's museum.
The flag reminds how the Indian Army brought the Pakistani army to its knees, took 93,000 Pakistani prisoners and gave 75 million people of Bangladesh their independence.
The war had started when Pakistan launched airstrikes on Indian airbases. India quickly responded to Pakistan Army's movements in the west and captured around 15,010 kilometres of Pakistan territory.
Manekshaw then went on to become the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of field marshal and will always be remembered as a decorated military man who set the bar so high that only few will ever reach to that level.
It is pertinent to mention here that the training at the academy is aimed at the optimum development of intellectual, moral and physical qualities essential for leadership in the profession of arms.
The Indian Military Academy is an officer-training academy of the Indian Army. It was established in 1932 following a recommendation by a military committee set up under the chairmanship of Field Marshal Philip Chetwode.
The Gentlemen Cadets undergo a training course varying between 3 and 16 months depending on entry criteria. On completion of the course at IMA, cadets are permanently commissioned into the army as an officer.
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