1,170 Agniveers inducted at Ranikhet passing-out parade

Bageshwar: A total of 1,170 Agniveers were inducted into the Indian Army at a passing-out and oath-taking parade held at the Kumaon Regimental Centre (KRC) in Ranikhet on Saturday.

KRC commandant Brigadier Vijayant Mahadik congratulated the newly inducted soldiers and felicitated Agniveers who excelled during training.

The parade took place amid chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” as the recruits marched through the Bahadurgarh Gate to applause from thousands of family members, military personnel and residents.

After completing their training, the Agniveers took an oath to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. Religious leaders administered the pledge, marking their formal entry into the ranks of the Army.

Addressing the gathering, Brigadier Mahadik said serving in the Indian Army is among the highest honours a young citizen could achieve. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to wear the Army uniform and serve the nation. This is a proud moment not only for the Agniveers but also for their families and the country,” he said.

After the parade, the Agniveers reunited with their families as mothers embraced their sons, fathers watched with pride and relatives congratulated the newly inducted soldiers.

Deepa Rana, mother of Agniveer Abhishek, said the day was one of the proudest moments of her life. “My son is now standing in the uniform of the Indian Army, ready to serve the nation. These tears are of happiness and pride,” she said.

Jyoti Bora, sister of Agniveer Sunil, said her brother had dreamt of joining the Army since childhood. “Seeing him in uniform today fills our entire family with pride. We will cherish this moment forever,” she said.

Brigadier Mahadik also thanked parents for motivating their children to dedicate themselves to national service and said the Army remained grateful to families that encouraged the next generation to serve the country.