In a first-of-its-kind ceremonial parade, the first batch of 2,585 Agniveers, including 273 women, of the Indian Navy passed out from the portals of INS Chilka in Odisha, under the aegis of the Southern Naval Command. Though Passing Out Parades (PoPs) are traditionally conducted in the morning, it was the first occasion when the PoP was conducted post-sunset.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, who reviewed the passing out parade, said it is ‘historic for the Indian Navy’, as the first-ever batch of women sailors passed out on the occasion. “It’s an opportunity to showcase our Nari Shakti to the world. As the nation watches, our women sailors are shipping across INS Chilka. It will provide inspiration for an entire generation of young women in the country,” said the Navy Chief. The PoP marked the successful culmination of 16 weeks of rigorous naval training.
Addressing the sea warriors, the Navy Chief said the first batch of Agniveers are going to script history in the Indian Navy.
“This batch will decide how the future Agniveers can be part of India’s security by joining the Indian Navy. Not just that, these Agniveers will also determine how to contribute to nation building without being in the armed forces,” said Hari Kumar in his address.
The Agnipath Scheme was launched by the government on June 14, 2022. Subsequently, the Indian Navy had carried out a pan-India, merit-based Agnipath recruitment scheme and leveraged the opportunity to commence the entry of women Agniveers into service.