‘BORN TO BATTLE‘ COURSE COMMEMORATE 55TH COMMISSIONING ANNIVERSARY AT PUNE

Date :- 14 June 2026

The ‘Born to Battle’ (B2B)course group commemorated their 55th commissioning anniversary on 13 Jun 2026 at Pune . Starting at 9am there was a solemn wreath laying ceremony at National War Memorial ,Ghorpuri .

33 veterans and spouses attended the function.

"All Photographs - courtesy Brig Prashant Gupta "

In the evening starting at 7.30pm there was a course dinner organised at Arty Div (Aginbaaz ) Officers Mess at Ghorpuri ,Camp Pune, that was attended by 55 officers and ladies.

The veterans and spouses met and interacted with each other and recalled their past association . The exchanges between the veterans and ladies were filled with nostalgia and laughter.

The B2B course have in the past reunited at several course get-togethers ( CGTs) .The first one was in June 2007 at NDA when the Comdt ,NDA was Air Mshl TS Randhawa .This was followed by a Reunion at IMA in June 2011 when Lt Gen RS Sujlana was Comdt ,IMA .In Aug 2012 a special reunion was organized at Chandimandir by Lt Gen Shankar Ghosh ,Army Cdr West Comd . The Commissioning Golden Jubilee Reunion at IMA was delayed by 2 years due to Covid - 19 and held in June 2023 . All these Course CGTs / Reunions have been well attended and have helped most coursemates of B2B to remain connected.

During past 55 years the B2B Course has lost many coursemates who have left for their heavenly abode.

A total of 122 CMs are no longer with their course ( Army -97 Navy -9 AF- 16) .We remember them fondly and hope and pray for the liberation of their souls.

MVI was privileged to interact with a few officers and ladies of the B2B course who attended the 55th commissiong functions at Pune and obtained their feelings . A few responses received are published below to convey the essence of their collective feelings and sentiments on reaching the milestone of their 55th commissioning anniversary!

Lt Gen Dalip Bhardwaj:

"Fifty Years of association with a band of brothers and their families has cemented our relationships .Being a member of The Born to Battle Course is a unique privilege and responsibility.On this day we remember with reverence 122 Coursemates who are no longer with us .Yet we look forward to being connected and sharing each other's joy and happiness in the years to come.Wishing all Coursemates and their families Good Health."

Lt Gen Deepak Raj:

"The Wreath Laying Ceremony this morning, was ,for all of us, an event that evoked a multitude of memories.

We had graduated from the Academies with stars in our eyes and hearts.

And we carried these high aspirations with us into battle and , later, into commitment towards the troops we commanded and the organisations we served.

It is these qualities that earned our course the highest of gallantry awards in war and peace.

It is these qualities that ensured the largest numbers in the highest ranks of the Indian Army, the Navy and the Airforce.

While the very act of meeting our comrades was rejuvenating and evoked unexpressable nostalgia and joyous camaraderie, there was also somber realisation as we marched up and saluted the War Memorial.

The names, faces of comrades lost on the march towards the achievement of such glories and successes came to mind , and the back straightened some more; the salute became snappier.

We honoured our fallen on the battlefield and paid homage to those comrades who left us so early in life.

Specially poignant was the loss of these young Gallants on the threshold of life - 2 / Lts Sunil Vashisht, Kamal Gambhir, Arun Khetarpal and Sub Lt AG Patil.

Proud to Belong to the Indian Armed Forces!"

Maj Gen Soli Pavri:

"God give us this 13th day of June again and again That we may pay homage to those that did not stay God give us this day that we may rejoice the bonds we have till today.

God give us this day to reminisce the trivia of times that made us buddies we are till this day

God give us this day that we may regale our spouses that have endured all our nonsense and nuances.

God give us this day again till the last of us stands, that he can tell generations ahead what Arun, NJC and more had done.

But alas God give us a day in your realm, that we may meet as Born to battle again."

Brig Pramathesh Raina :

"Reaching the milestone of the 55th Commissioning Anniversary is a matter of immense pride and gratitude for all of us. The opportunity to reconnect with coursemates, revisit shared memories, and reflect on a lifetime of service has evoked deep emotions and a renewed sense of camaraderie.

The laying of the wreath at the War Memorial was a solemn tribute to our departed comrades, a gesture of remembrance that reaffirmed our resolve to keep their memory alive forever.

The interactions between members of the B2B Course at Pune represent the collective sentiments of a course that has journeyed together through five and a half decades of life, service, and friendship."

Brig Deepak Bajaj :

"55 years and counting …. Not withstanding the hardships of army life - tough but undoubtedly most satisfying - our camaraderie while serving across the length and breadth of India has kept us going - Given an opportunity will willingly opt for another lifetime in this Army !!"

Brig Prashant Gupta:

“Fifty-five years later, I realise that while ranks, postings, and years fade into memory, what remains forever is the pride of having served and the bond of brotherhood that only soldiers understand.”

A Rare Ladies Tribute:

" On this 55th anniversary of the commissioning of the 38th NDA & 47th Regular IMA Course , we honor the courage, commitment, and brotherhood that have defined your course. Over more than five decades, you have demonstrated the true meaning of service and friendship. May your gathering be a fitting tribute to the years spent in uniform and the decades of support you have offered one another ever since. Wishing you all the very best on this special celebration.

I Salute you all 'Born to Battle' coursemates. So proud of all of you all !" Mrs Renu Bhardwaj ,wife of Lt Gen Dalip Bhardwaj

PHOTO GALLERY

A few select photographs of the wreath laying function held at National War Memorial ,Pune camp and the course dinner held at Agnibaaz Officers Mess on 13 Jun 2025 are placed in the attached photo gallery. These will surely enhance the written words and give a colour finish to the 55th commissioning anniversary Reunion at Pune .

COURSE HISTORY

In Jun 1967, 250 bright young boys entered NDA (with the 38th NDA Course) the cradle of leadership, to be nurtured as men and groomed as ‘Officers and Gentlemen’

After three gruelling years at the NDA, where they developed their bonds of friendship, camaraderie and brotherhood and a year at IMA as 47 Regular Course with 31 Technical Graduates Course /Naval Academy as 38 Naval Course / AF Academy as 107 P C (IAF) they devoted the next few decades to their calling ‘The Profession of Arms’.

BORN TO BATTLE

Within six months of commissioning , before most could complete their Young Officer’s course they were inducted into battle to serve their motherland in the ultimate call of duty to participate in the 1971 war against Pakistan. Officers of the course lived up to their respective Alma Maters - NDA, IMA, and NAVAC & AFA and did the country proud. Five officers were martyred during the operations.

2/LT ARUN KHETARPAL, POONA HORSE

He was primarily responsible of repulsing a fierce counter attack at the Basantar River and after having destroyed five enemy tanks he laid down his life. The nation acknowledged his valour and awarded him the PVC posthumously . Apart from him 4 Officers were awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry). In recognition to the contribution of these young men who went straight to battle they rightly designated themselves to as “Born to Battle” Course.

DURING SERVICE

COL NJC NAIR KC,CO 16 MARATH L I

In Dec 1993 during CI Operations in Nagaland, Col NJC Nair (a recipient of Kirti Chakra ), CO 16 MLI, led his troops to successfully break an ambush and paid the ultimate price and decorated posthumously with the Ashok Chakra. Hence the ‘Born to battle’ course has the unique distinction of being the only course to have been awarded the highest awards for gallantry both in War and Peace.

"All Photographs - courtesy Brig Prashant Gupta "

The officers of B2B course have also been awarded 3 Shaurya Chakras and 4 Sena Medals (Gallantry)

SENIOR RANKS

47 Regular Course (38 NDA & 47 Direct Entry) have approx 100 officers who attained Flag Rank with 18 Officers of 3 stars. The 38 NDA/107 PC IAF course mates had a record 5 officers attaining Air Marshal Rank with 4 C in C’s.

NDA/IMA/OTA COMMANDANTS

The course provided Commandants to NDA, IMA & OTA ( Air Marshal TS Randhawa , Lt Gen RS Sujlana& Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee respectively )

CISC ,IDS Air Marshal SC Mukul was appointed as CISC (HQ IDS)